Absent Friend,
I was very happily surprised a few moments ago when a letter was brought me and when opening it find it from you. It is a source of great pleasure to know that I am not entirely forgotten by my friends when absent and especially those who have so many scenes to occupy their minds and time as the soldier boy.
Yesterday the whole community were thrown into quite an excitement by supposed enemies to their country taking the engine and some two or three passenger boxes and making off with them from Big Shanty while all were at breakfeast, leaving the passengers there. The conductor obtained another engine and with some forty of fifty armed men pursued on after them with rapidity. The Linevintes cut telegraph wires between Atlanta and Dalton, tore up the rail-road track so as to hinder those in pursuit, but finding that were about to be over taken and not having time to replenish their wood & water, they left their engine and run into the woods beyond Ringold - the last accounts were they had not been taken but would probably be soon as they were making quite an effort to get the strangers. Where they came from no person knows, or what their intentions were; Certainly this was one of the boldest and most daring acts I ever heard of. I hope more of them will soon be brought at lights -
Mrs. Cabot & myself went out to your house and spent the day with your mother and Sallie yesterday. We found them all well and had a fine time and a most excellent visit. I regretted very much that you werent there - Report says the Toomby Volunteers will be home soon as their time is out on the 20th. Then a party is expected to come off. Would you not enjoy the time if permitted to be here? O, I must tell you what a nice school I have and when I mention the young ladies who are attending surely you will consider it interesting. Mary Gresham & Lovvery Alice Randel, Susie Mays, Mattie Rembert and Alice Beull. Do you not think so?
Henry, I just from the tenor of your letter that you are inclined to be a little homesick, if it is so, you must give up that idea, keeping good courage will be half of the battle. I so much hope that these terrible times will not last long and this dreadful ware will soon end -
I think you will have no reason to complain of my long delay in answering your letter as I shall return on by the next mail - Henry, I hope to hear from you again - do not feel any hesitancy as regards your letters being welcomly received for rest assured it will always afford me a great deal of pleasure to hear from you. I hope your soldiers life may not be one of many troubles toils and hardships but that it may be short and pass pleasantly away and soon very soon you may have the pleasure of returning to your family and friends -
No more this time as I have already written quite a lengthy letter -
Ever the same -
M. J. Parker
Henry Hunt