1862 March 15 Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chattanooga march 13, 1862

My Dear beloved wife

Yours of the 7th duly came to hand a
few minutes ago & it wa so sweet so affectionate and so lovely that
I could not avoid answering it immediately, notwithstanding I just
sent off one dated the 11th. My dear Wife, you are so sweet so good & so
lovely that you cannot avoid writing sweet affectionate letters to one
that appreciates you above all things on earth. I know my dearest
that you are the sweetest and most affectionate wife that is on earth.
I am happy My dear Wife that your prayers are ascending to heaven
praying to the God of battle for the preservation of my life
during the battle that I may be exposed. My dear I believe in
my heart as you have said that God was with me at Fort
Donelson. I believe positively that there were several deliberate
aims at me during the time that I was walking about at
Fortifications, several times after getting out the intrenchment
I could hear the Balls whistling around me. Notwithstanding the
15th when I was exposed to the gauling fire for six or seven hours.
It is my prayer that I may return home to you as safe and sound.
Brother Ben is in a private House in Chattanooga. I was over to see
him yesterday & found him very sick as I think he has
Tifoid fever.--he was very lowspirited and I think it will go very hard
with him. I am glad to hear that the Dr. is on the mend. I hope
he will be well soon. Ask the Dr. whether he has forgotten that
Pretty little black eyed child that he saw in Knoxville
he was very much grieved for not seeing it in time
and I think he will try and take pattern by it the next
time as he was very mutch smitten with it.
My dear I am glad to hear that you have not been sick a
day since I left that you are enjoying such good health. It is
more than I can say by a great deal though I am as well as
usual now. I am sorry to hear that you have suffered so
mutch from grief. My dear Mollie it is painful for us
to be separated so long but you must not grieve after me
my Dear. I hope and trust in God that I may see you again.
The prayers of the righteous availeth mutch.
My dear we have very enclement weather here at this
time it commenced raining last night and has continued
to rain very hard today. I have been in my tent all
day without any fire & you may be surprised that it is
very disagreeable in a wet tent without fire. A Poor
soldier has a great deal to endure and get little or no credit
for what he does. General Hays will not grant Furloughs
to any many now not even the sick he says he do not like
the Idea of a Furlough. My dear I am afraid that there will
not be any chance for me to get home until my time is
out. Dear Millie I never wanted to see anyone so bad
as I do you in my life. It seems to me if I just could
see you I would be perfectly happy & to kiss thy sweet and
lovely lips. My dear I have an Idea of trying to get a
Commission in the Confederate Army as I will not be exposed like I am now
that is if I think I will be draughted. What do you think about it, let me
know in your next letter. Give my love to all my friends and receive a love portion for
yourself.
P.S. I would rather stay at home near you if I possibly
could My dear I hope and trust that I can stay with you next year
don't you honey
Your affectionate Husband
John P. Jones

John Peter Jones, 1838-1910, Co. D, 56th Virginia

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 11095