December 22nd, 1861

Today Emma and I got a letter from Samuel! I was so thrilled, I could not wait until we would hear from him. I hoped he was doing well from all of the battles that occurred. Emma and I opened the letter right after we got it, not even having the patience to sit down. The letter read:

Dear Emma and Annabelle,

I miss you two dearly. I am truly sorry I have not written you two in a while. We have been very busy with training, as I mentioned last time. I miss you two so very much. I cannot get my mind off of you two where ever I go. I am always thinking about how you two are doing and when I will be able to see my two beautiful ladies again. The battles have gotten very difficult, as well as the training. We spend days and nights getting stronger and stronger by the minute. I get scared whenever I go out to fight. Although, knowing the more I fight the closer I may be to seeing you two, makes me fight with even more effort. It kills me to know I will probably not be home to celebrate Christmas in 3 days. That would be a miracle if they sent us home to our family for Christmas. Although, I'm pretty sure that's not the way it all works out. I miss you two very much. I dread the days I have to go without you, but we both have to stay strong. Everything will be over soon and I will come back home to my two favorite, girls. I love you two very much.

Love Samuel.

Samuel is the light to our lives and knowing he will not be home for Christmas is very dreadful but what whats got to happen, has to happen and that cannot be changed.