Hopewell April 17th 1864

My dear lover

Cousin Sallie

It has been a long long time since I received your very kind letter. You cannot imagine how glad I was to hear from you all. You wrote me a glood long letter you know just the kind I like. Now Cousin Sallie just imagine for a moment we are together sitting talking. I am going to write in this manner if I can, both of diping snuff. now I will tell you all the news. Well to begin I have just returned from sister Ellens ?? she was married yesterday to a Mr. Harrison a widower with several children, has two sons in the army. You know by this he is rather advanced in years. he has a few of the dimes or you may know she would not have changed her name under this circumstances. he is a perfect gentleman and knows how to treat a wife. She has a good home. Mr. Harrison is a particular friend of Dr. Simmons, known him for years. I nearly killed myself eating, he had a splendid dinner. We invited none to the wedding/ Well cousin we have no herd from home in a very long time. I am fearful we will not hear soon. you do not know the uneasyness we have about them. I am afraid they are suffering. We received a letter from Brother George a wekk or two ago. he had been down with Rheumatism for several weeks but was some better. poor fellow is almost worne out. we sent him a large box of provisions. he said he shurely never did have any thing to do him as much good. Some also to Cousin Gaines. I received a letter from him some time ago. he was well and had just got a furlough of twenty days and was going home. he seemed to be very happy. said he would write to me on return. the last time we herd from brother Gabe he was still in Calhoun. said he had a thought of moveing to Newnon. said he was too close to the army. his son Camillious has gone to the army some time ago. I herd from him lately. he was well. told me his rations were very short. Oh Cousin Sallie what would I give to see you this evening. I do not believe you want to see me as bad as I do you - I have got so much to tell you that I cannot write. Well I must tell you somthing about my bright particular Star. he called to see me last week on his return from Charleston. he spent allmost a week with me. I know I shurely never did enjoy a week more pleasant. Cousin you can imagin my perfect hapiness. the cause of him staying so long he was sick, fatiuged and unable to travel. Cousin Sallie Ill declare sister Lettie liked to teased me to death. You know I had the big part put in the little one. I am going to surprise you one of these days. I will let you know. The Dr. had never seen my beau. I do hope you have. I have thought so much about it let me know. do you ever hear from Mr. Winston from Mrs. Cabbert. I have not herd from Cousin Lettie. I wrote to her but received no answer. Cousin Sallie if you was hear with us you could enjoy your self. we have a great many partys or Balls you may call them. we had a special invitation to a large Ball and finishing party near Macon a few days ago. we would have gone to the fishing party if it had not have been for Sister Ellen. Most all the young men are at home here. staying at home overseeing their negroes. that was what they was allowed to stay for, but instead of attending to their business they are flying around with the ladies having Balls. I think it is unjust. I do not think it is any time for such. poor Cousin Gabe. I hope he is at home yet. tell me when you write. I was so glad to know you had herd from Cousin Jim. When did you hear from Cousin Henry. I have been looking for a letter from him. give him my best love and tell him to write to me. tell him I have not forgotten that little boy I used to go to school with. tell dear Cousin Annie and dear Cousin Lizzie I do want to see them so bad. tell them I so often think of them. tell them not to forget me. I do love you all dearly. I do hope you are all better satisfied. Cousin Sallie I think you rather exagerated in telling me how you was situated. I want you to write me soon and let me know how you are all getting along.

Sister Lettie sends her very best love to you all. says she would give all most any thing to see you. she says she does wish she had some of Cousin Annies fritters. says she has never ate any as good since.

Your Cousin

Sallie M. Vincent

give my love to Cousin Gabe.

Give my very best love to all the children. kiss them for me. tell them not to forget their cousin Sallie. give my love to Cousin Granville and his wife and my dear cousin write soon and a long letter. tell me ever thing.

please pardon me for writing this letter so badly. I have written in great haste. good by my dearest cousin.