C. Viets Otterville, Missouri - September 2, 1861 Transcript Monday Evening Sept. 2nd, 1861 Dear Amanda, It is with the greatest felicity that I sit down to write these lines to you to inform you that I received your letter bearing the date July 25th. I had almost given up ever getting a letter from you but you can't imagine the joy it gave me last night when I called at the office and got your letter. I broke the seal and perused the contents with the greatest of satisfaction. I never in all my llife read a letter that done me as much good as the one I received from you, I almost imagined that I were talking with Amanda herself but when I come to study over the matter, and look at the distance between us, I can't help but take a long breath, for it is almost enough to make me fear that I never will get to see your face again. Amanda, I must confess that I never knew what love was till after I saw you, and if you could only read my heart, you would see that its only desire is to win the affections of one who is a great ways off. You said I had friends out there who was sorry to see me leave, if that be so I hope the time may come when those friends will have the pleasure of seeing me in Pettis Co. Mo. again, for I long to see all of them. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your health, but sorry to hear that you have such war exciting times out there, but let's live in hope of seeing better times. It is true, things look a little discouraging at present, but I feel in hopes that they will take a change for the better before long. Amanda if I were there I could tell you a great many things that I will not have room to put on this small sheet of paper which may never reach you but I hope it may reach you, and hope you may even read it with the same pleasure that I have to read yours. Excuse me for writing in such a plain stile, for I have written first as I felt and hope that you will give me some encouragement to live in hopes of some future day of enjoying myself with the one whom my whole heart's desire is longing to see.I am well at present, and hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. No more at present but from one who loves you as dear as himself. C. Viets to Amanda F. Marshall Give my love to Mary and all inquiring friends. Tell them I have not forgotten them When these few lines, you shall have learned To remember you have earned The sincere friendship forever Of one who will forsake you never. When in solitude you ponder And in some wise wonder Where a true friend you may enlist Read your letter and forget not this That though friends may deceive you And acquaintences prove untrue There is one on whom to depend Forever your sincere friend. C. Viets © Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved