Oct 18, 1862 a Love Letter written on by Elvira Purvis to Atwell Martin whele he was away in the Civil War.

Dear Atwell,

After many weary hours waiting I have at last received the precious newse indeed it is, and dearly bought, for it went to the head of the Creek before it reached the designed friend. We waited patiently untill about ten o’clock last night when we retired with quite a long face and hearts as heavy as – well I don’t pretend to say how heavy they were, but quite weighty I assure you.

------------we did not sleep but very little as Charlotte was sick all night. Wesley went to Arcolia today and consequently we had to rise early. He has just returned bringh Lizzie another new dress, but she says she will not have it, it is so ugly. I tired to make her think it was prety but all in vain. Wesley is siting by my side counting his money. I would like to be in that scrape myself, mine is not hard to count as I have only 50 cts. While he has the sum of $2.26. Oh! I must hurry, Lizzie is getting a head of me.

I have written one page and have said but very little, nothing of importance. Yes I attended a crib raising today but was not much help. I am thinking, if you had been there I would made a full hand no doubt, and At, don’t you think we had a bean last night, each one of us, but I rather think they got cold comfort, at least I know one did. We intend visiting Mollie tomorrow no preventing providence and don’t rain. Oh! Pardon me At, for not following the lines, I can’t see strait. At, I have your picture before me, two large mellow apples at my elbow, a nice boquet at my side; we have gathered the last boquet we expect to gather this fall for the flowers have faded with our joys. At, you don’t know how I miss you, the very floweres of the garden seem to miss you, so I find no consolation in them. They only recall the past and brings thronging to my memory the many pleasant moments spent with you, but it does no good to reflect on the past. I have done too much of it now, it is geting me down, prety fast. I wish you could see me, I am as poor as jobs turkey and as pale as a ghost. Everyone that sees Lizzie and I are laughing at us, I tell them never mind laughing is catching. Mollie took a hearty laugh when she was down and now I can laugh at her, she is sick, has been agueing. I received a note from her yesterday, answered it today, and am going to see her tomorrow, yes At, I forgot to tell you I went to singing Thursday night up on the Creek. Huts intends teaching a singing up there I believe, while I think of it your Mother told me to give her love to you. It is a mere handfull to what I send you. Milla send her love to you and Lee and tells you the baby is well and can almost walk.

Well I expect it is time sick folks were in bed, although I do not know what time it is for our clock is not running.

I have never seen that old batch since I wrote, he will be round again some these days when we are not looking. Harrison was here Sunday. I went away prety soon after he came, consequently I am ignorant of his welfare. I went over to see Mary Powell in the evening but did not stay long as it was late when we started. I stayed quite as long as I wished. At, you must not get discouraged, you need not fear, my constancy, when you begin to doubt think of what I have told you. It is getting late and I will quite now and finish in the morning, Good night my dear, I wish I could give you the parting Kiss.

Good morning At, I hope you had a pleasant rest and sweet dreams last night. I wish I could tell you my dream this morning but I can’t. We are all up this morning, Charlotte is better. I think we will give Mollie a call today, I wish you could be with us.

Don’t you think I had better quit, I believe the news has all run out, thinks you to yourself, "she never had any at first," well you think about right. I have written nothing but nonsense, give my love to Enoch tell him to write, tell Bob I seen one of his girls the other night.

At, I must quit and go to breakfast, excuse mistakes, pardon errors and finally receive this as kindly as it is given. This is a pleasant morning. I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me. That picture- Pshaw- it can’t talk. Oh! If it could talk to me how pleasant it would be. Well, I can’t have everything as I want. Atwell, I must quit, John Harrison is waiting to take them to the office. Write soon be sure.



Goodby from your true friend,

Elvira