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A Letter Home To Eleanor Dougherty From John Briner November 9, 1861.
Much of the following information was furnished by David Kit Briner of Easton Connecticut. He is a great-grandson of John W. and Eleanor Briner. John W. is the son of Joshua Briner (b 1816). The following is from an actual letter. (spelling is unchanged)]
Camp Nevin, Kentucky
November 9, 1861
Dear Elenor,
With much joy I try to send a few more lines to you that you may still know that I still remember you with love & affection. I would have wrote sooner to you, but I have not been able to do so. My health is very bad & I am afraid will be no better while I stay in the army. I can inform you there is a smart chance of sickness among the soldiers. Dear girl you cannot imagine how I want to see you. I almost believe it would cure me to have the pleasure of your sweet company for a while. I often think of you while I am laying in my lonely tent, my mind wanders back to my native hills & there in my imagination I see thy own sweet self. And then I think on the happy moments of pleasure we have had together. Oh Elenor those were the happiest moments of my life, but I hope that I may be spared to get back to live those happy hours over again. It is always a source of great pleasure to me to hear from you & I want to write as soon as you get this. I expect if I don't get well they will send me home before a great while. But if can get well I would like to stay with the other boys.I see thee in my dreams I feel the spell that bound my soul to thine
I hear the bird like voice I love so well
And wake with rapture at the sound
I see thee in my dreams
I see thee yet
Though many hours have passed their silent way since we met
Though joy is changed to hope
I see thee in my dreams I see thee yet
But when from slumber I awake
No more thy loved form I see
But I'll dream on though my heart strings break
In death's long sleep
I'll fondly dream of thee
I am yours forever
John W. Briner
John was discharged from the army on April 25, 1862 in Columbia Tennessee. John W. Briner and Eleanor Dougherty were married on March 26, 1863.
