Franklin County: David Demus to Mary Jane Demus, January 24,
1865
Summary:
Demus writes that if it wasn't for the black troops fighting for the Union, the war might
last another ten years. He also says he feels lucky to have remained safe in the war.
[Image of a United States flag in front of a rising sun.]
Mary Jane Demus
January the 24th/65
Morris island
south Carolina
Dear
i have been think Writing you a few lines to inform you that i am Well at present and I hope When these few lines Reach you they May find you enjoying good health i am going to [unclear: state] a [unclear: solders] letter But i hope that you Will Write a short letter to answer this letter Why you Can see that i had Nothing to do and i thought i Would spend the [illeg.] Day and Write i hope When i get Back again Why i Will have something else to Do on sunday for i Could enjoying myself By talk to you and tell you What a soldier life is and how they have to get along But i Can tell you that When a Man set down and study about his [unclear: daners] that he has to put [unclear: thow] But a My Dear Just let Me say to you if it had Not a been for the Colored troops Why this awful War Would last for ten years to Come but Now it Was plane to see that if We all had a stayed at home Why What Would a become of us Colored people We Can say Now how Can say [unclear: tha] [unclear: dun] Why us Colored Men Was the [unclear: Cuson] of this awful Rebellion Was [unclear: averry] Now i Can tell you that i have saw some hard times but With all i Can say that i have got out safe so far and With all the people say that i am a lucky Man but still i hope that i May stay out of the [unclear: Cumeny] but i have been out of the [unclear: Cumeny] for almost two years and if god spares Me to stay out about [unclear: fortten] Month Why i Can Come Come home safe but if i live to get home Why i thought that i Can stay at home a What a happy time We Will have a happy Day and a happy Night together But i hope that you and I May live to get together again a What a happy time We Will have and i think that We Will Never [unclear: bart] again a My Dear when you Write to Me Why Whean i get your letter Why i just have to go and look at your Dear and lovely face and then i Will look at your Dear lovely face and then i think a What a foolish Boy i Was to leave you behind and Come away so far When i Can't see you at all but When i think of the pleasure that We Will have at When i Do get home i think that i make up From all the last three years But When i get home Why i Can talk a Mile [unclear: fer] to make up for all but still i ain't the only Man but i think that there Will be a great Many of as Many [unclear: Relist] again for 5th years but i don't think that uncle sam has got Money enough to Reinlist Me again but still if you think i had better stay in the army Why i ain't a going to Do it for i think i have been out long enough now to see the day
