1861 December 18 Yorktown

My darling wifey
To-day is the anniversary of
our wedding and I must let you know
though I have to do so in writing, how
happy I have been for the past year in
such sweet communion and intercourse
with one of the most loveable women
in the tide of time. I am glad & rejoice
that we are married and this statement
may be considered as worth something
since it is made after the first year
which is considered a critical period
in the lives of married people. If I am
as happy for the balance of my life as I
have been for the past year, I shall die
satisfied and give you the credit of
contributing in no small measure to
my happiness. God bless my darling wife!

[page 2]
In her last letter, Ma says that I am
a lucky dog in having a sweet woman
to comfort and cheer me in these times
but she has no idea what a real bless-
ing you are to me and no one has
except myself. Since I have been married
to you a perceptible change has come
over my feelings--I am no longer restless
and dissatisfied except when I am away
from you--could we get the place we
are seeking, I could live there with
you perfectly happy and contented
I need not tell my darling, who knows
something of her husband's heart, how
much I do really love her and what
an exalted opinion I entertain of her
but, I must show by writing at this
time what a respect I have for the
day which gave me my wife--a day
certainly to be marked with a white
stone.

[page 3]
I exist in strong hopes of being with
you, very soon after the 15th proximo
and if my hopes are fulfilled, wont
we be happy--I say we, because I
do believe (and this belief or rather
certain conviction is one of the greatest
sources of my happiness) that you really
love me and are happier when you
are with me--
God grant that I may always be
a blessing and comfort to my
darling and that we may always
live as happy as we now are
in the love and confidence of
each other.
God bless you
Your devoted
Husband

Howe Peyton Cochran Sergeant, Co. H, 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380