June 4, 1864

Dear Sister,

Some two days ago I received the sad & heartbreaking news that darling Husband was killed. I first heard through Austin Leonard that he was only wounded. He came right from there & then Jon came down & brought the other. He said A. Whitaker was sent to Atlanta, Ga. & he dispatch. I am in hopes he was mistaken & wish to ask Mr. Golladay to dispatch to Col. Balentine to know the particulars if he please, for I feel its more than I can stand. Oh Sister, I thought that I knew what ____ was but I never knew until now. I feel that my very heart has been torn from me. I know I have lost the dearest one on earth to me, one that love me more than all the rest of the world. It is true that I have a kind brother and stepfather, but none can fill the place of that dear Husband that I once had. But he is gone. I fear I will never see him again on earth

I know it would have been bad to give him up at any time, but I think I could have been better prepared for the great shock at any other time. My only hope is gone forever. I know what is was to be happy once, but I never expect to see that time again. I had placed all my affections on my husband & little boy. I felt I could not live without them, but oh that darling one has been taken from me. I can never stand it. I would like to see you & be with you & your kind Husband, my friends you have always been & I know you will be greater ones now in my troubles. If you can find out that my darling one is not killed but wounded let me know. I wish to get yours & Mr. G. advice about going in black, if you think I had best wait a while & if you think I can get anything, let me hear from you by Pa today. One word from you or Mr. Golladay will be consolations to me now for I can not realize that I am left alone in this lonesome world. O sister, tongue can not express my feeling now.

yours affectionately.
Fannie