Mary Lou Fowler Cole Camp, Benton County, Missouri - January 2, 1864 Cole Camp, Mo. Jan. 2 1864 Miss Mary Marshall Dear friend It is with pleasure that I avail myself of the opportunity to answer your welcome letter which I received a few moments since. It found all well but me I have been complaining but nothing very serious. Your letter came rather unexpectedly. It has been so long since I received one from you. I had come to the sad conclusion that you had entirely forgotten me. I had expected that you and the girles would have been over before noon but as circumstances would not admit I presume I will have to excuse you all. Well, hon, how did you enjoy yourself whislt down in Cooper County very well of course, why not? I would have liked very much to have seen Miss Molly George while she was up. Did Fannie leave when you did. Mrs. George Mitchell was telling me that you had gone down there. There has been several weddings over you way since I was over there, has been two or three over here right lately. Had you heard that I was married. If you have not I did. I could hardly believe it. They heard it down at Smithton that I was married and gone could you guess who to. I would like very much to see you guessing. I know you would be sometime before you would find the right one. I presume you have guessed long enough and have not the right one yet. I will have to tell you. It was to one Mr. A. C. Marshall now what do you think and then I heard again that I was going to get married to another gentleman altogether. So I have come to the conclusion that it is all false and some person knows more about it than I do. I would have liked very much to have been over Christmas. I know I could have enjoyed myself much better than I did. I attended only 2 or 3 parties during Christmas. We had quite a nice one at Henry Hunter’s house. There was some out of Company E Mr. Mitchell for one. We had quite a nice time. You ought to have been there; who told you that I danced. I am sorry that I commenced dancing too but I could not well help it there.. We have a company of soldiers at Cole Camp, they seem to be very nice men behave themselves very well. There was a train of wagons came from Sedalia yesterday and too most all of our boys. Tell ------that I am almost afraid to show the miniature for fear someone will take it. I showed it to the Cap. and some of his men the other day; they fell in love with it. I would like very much to see you and have so much to tell you and some letters to show you that I received. You must excuse poor writing. I have so much writing to do. I must close I am out of space. Give my love to all and tell JA Marshall that a Mr. Eastwood has gone. I remain as every your true friend. Lou Fowler © Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved