Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ====================================================================== From Albert E. Swap to miss Sarah E. Watson, Mendota, IL *enlisted Aug 25, 1862 pvt. Co. C, 6th ILL Cavalry mustered out July 12, 1865 ===================================================================== Germantown Penn March 5th /64 Affectionate Friend I address you a few lines in answer to your most welcome favor which I received before we started on the raid but I did not have time to answer at the time. We have had some verry hard marching sinc I wrote you last but the most of come back to our starting point alive and in verry good health. We was on the march 16 days. You wished to know if I was going to send any Valentine but as this is Ca* gear I do not think I shall send any if I had sent any you would have known it. It begins to seem like a long time since I saw you or any of my [page 2] friends at home but this war will not always last and some of us will come home again. It would be the happyst hours of my life to be at home for a few days with my loved friends on the holley days but I am determined that when I do come home to be free from all bonds to the U.S. I cannot see them on the vetran question. I suppose there is a great many soldiers home on furloughs for reinlisting. I would like to be at home with them but I would not like to have three years to serve in this cruel war for my 30 days at home. Excuse me for this short note as it is late. Give my respects to all enquiring friends, and accept my most sincere good wishes and respect and remember me as a true friend. A.E. Swap