Camp Rowan Main Station

Octobur The 20th 1861
My Deares and loveing friend it is
with a trembling hand and aching
hart that I take my pen in hand
to answer yores which came to a fiew dayes a
go I was glad to heare that you was well I
have nothing to rite to you that wod interest you
you Said that you was verey sorey to here that I was not
coming home I am varey sorey to here that
you are So dyis Satis fide but I cant help it
I wont you to live in good Sparits be of good
cheare yore desires fore me to come home is no
grater than mine is to come but I cant do
evrey thing I wish to do I am more like a
negro than like a white man So fare as
libaty is consurnd I wod give the hole world if
I cod onley be with thee one that I love So
deare ley I have promis to love you and if I live
I will make my words come true you nead not
dout a word that I Say
oh that I cod see you I cod tell you
more a bou my love and a bout my
triels I have thought of you till i[t?]Seames as a
dreame if I dont get to See you Shortly I
will be the most miserable person urthe
it is no injoymint to me to live here
where I cant get to See you and talke with
you if I cod be with you wuone day I Cod
tell you more than I can rite in a weauke
you told me if I got Sick you wanted
me to come home I will come if I get
[page 2]
Sick I am glad to know that you have
Such love and respect to to offer yore Survases
to wat on me it Seames like you are all the
friend that I have I know that you are the best
oun I have you feel nerere and deare to
me than any own els you Said you love me
as well as if we wure mared I dont
dout it but yore love fore me is no
grater than mine is fore you
you Said you had don as you prom is to do
a bout going to See mother I am glad to
here of you a showuing hur so much
respect you must continue to got to
See hur I know She is lonsum and you
mus go and stay with hur evrey thance [1] you get
and you will never loos any thing I will
do any thing fore you
that is in my power fore I have promis
to you all that I can promis Oh how
happy I wod be yore home was with mine
and min with yores we cod the happyes
lif of any other too that evere was united
I hope that day may Son com when
we will be unitetd as one and enjoy each
others hapy news I mus Bring my leter to
a close excuse my bad riting and Selling
I will trye to do beter the next time if
I cant So you all wont to here from
you often fare well my deare and loving
friend fore a while I remain yore deare
and loving frieng untill deat

John N Dale to

S J Honnoll