Letter is written on a small piece of blue stationery that meas. approx. 7.75 x 6.00 inches. The text is written in ink and is readable.

The paper has several small age spots and one ink blot. There is one vertical and two horizontal fold lines. None of these obscures the text.

The letter reads:

Forsyth Co. N.C. July the 6, 1861

Dear Sandy I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well. Hoping that they will find you enjoying the same state of health. I received your letter of the 5^th. It afforded me a great deal of pleasure for it was the first I heard from you since we left Salem. I heard the mournful sound of the drum when you left Salem. It made me feel very sorry to hear you leave perhaps to return no more. I have lonesome times but it is no more than can be expected being deprived from the only thing that I love. You said that you wanted me to say that I have not forgotten you. You may well be assured that I have not forgotten you, for by day you occupy my thoughts and at night you are the object of my dreams. When this you see remember me though many miles apart. My pen is bad my ink is pale my love for you will never fail.

When from home receding and from hearts that ache to bleeding, think of those you left who love thee. Think how long the night will be, to the eyes that weep for them God bless and keep. I have no more to say at present. I must bring my lines to a close.

Lysaneus L. Conrad.

Letter fills one side of the page and a fourth of the other.

With the letter is a modern transcription with a modern notation saying that the letter was sent to a “W. R. Petr(???) who was killed at Manassas.” How this was determined is a mystery. Nowhere on the letter is the name of the recipient mentioned. The only obvious thing is that the recipient was a soldier.

A nice, heartfelt missive.  [AD]

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