Harper's Ferry, May 17, 1861

Your long and interesting letter of the 9th was received yesterday evening with your mother's note. I have written an answer which you must read and deliver if you like it. I have written it hurriedly under all the inconveniences of camp life with interruptions enough to vex a saint, and you must, as my fair and all-powerful advocate, make up for all deficiencies of style and matter in your speeches upon the subject. It is flattering to a sick and weary soldier to know that he has turned towards him the eyes of so gentle and witching a lady as those of my own dear Elodie, one who is calculated in all things to make him happy. You write just as I wish, naturally and freely, flattering to me and indicating how pure is the stream from whence refreshing cups of pearly dew are allowed to escape. The more I read your letters the more singular it seems to me that I have been so fortunate as to win your love. Had I not been a volunteer, I never would have known how rich were the imaginings of your mind and how pure and beautiful were the flowers that grow in the garden of your heart. Each letter discovers some new beauty and each hour spent with you will but add to the number of your charms and increase the boundless love now burning in my bosom. As your mother loves you very much, I have no fears upon the subject of her consent being eventually obtained. It must be a great pleasure to Mrs. White and yourself to have your sister and herself with you, and I regret that I am denied the pleasure of seeing them, but you know I am to take you to Kentucky when I will have that honor and pleasure. Tell your sister Kate [1] that I must employ her as an advocate and that if she succeeds well the fee will be a large one, but I had forgotten that, in you, I have an advocate con amore who will charge nothing for her services and whose success with her mother upon this point cannot be doubted. I hope sincerely that we may have peace, but the [illegible] of preparation is going on very briskly. Every train brings in troops. The Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road is not allowed to carry prisoners or munitions of war beyond this point. Last night a number of [ ] and horses and thousands of eggs were taken here. The place is impregnable or will be made so in a short time, and I imagine that Lincoln will have “nobody hurt” in capturing it. I have not seen some of its beauties yet, as I remained in my room all day yesterday, the weather being cold and windy. Today our regiment will be supplied with tents for all the men and our quarters will be established on one of the mountains that [] the place. We are now in a gorge on a narrow strip of land on the Shenandoah River. Tomorrow we will be able from our camp to see Penn., Maryland, Va. And I will endeavor in my next to describe some of the scenery.

Mr. Averitt went to Winchester yesterday and told me he was to write to Mr. White. He is a very clever gentleman, closely attached to me, but I fear is too tender for a soldier's life. I never dreamed that I could accommodate myself to all of the privations so readily. If you were to see me now you would hardly recognize me. I am burnt black and have generally a savage appearance. At the first convenient place I will have a photograph taken and send you as a natural curiosity. You say my letters are short. When you receive the latest you will think otherwise. We left Dalton on the 3d May, reached Lynchburg on the 5th, and I wrote you daily I believe. It is a pleasure to chat with you, greater than it was, in the morning of my attachment, to send you flowers and write you pretty notes. Tell John to bring you flowers three times a week. In the stereoscope you had there are several views of Harper's Ferry. Could you venture to have them brought to you by John? Your slightest intimation would find a ready obedience and the views would be interesting at this time. I love you dearly, ardently, entirely, devotedly. Do you object? Do you call me lovesick? And I would throw millions in the scales if I could command them to feel that I deserved your love. Why do you not tell me that you love me? Are you afraid to flatter me so much, or afraid that your letters will be captured?

My house must indeed look desolate and dreary. [2] Some times will not my own loved Elodie go by it, merely to tell me that she has seen the flowers? One of these days, I hope her own hands will plant the beautiful garden flowers, made more beautiful because they have grown under her culture. And now sweet angel, goodbye. May God preserve us safely and may He guard and protect you at all times is the prayer of one who loves you fondly but not too well.

Ever and affty yours,

N. H. R. Dawson

I am much obliged to Mrs. White for her friendship but have flattered myself that she had given it to me some time ago. I know she will be all powerful, and I hope she will prevail for your sake as well as mine.