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May 10, 1864

Convalescent Camp
Knoxville Tenn
May 10 1864

Dearest Jennie?

Just came from town and it is raining cant scout around Thought I would write a line just eat my dinner had bread and milk and Raddishes quite a variety Purpose taking supper with my Knoxville sweetheart was over there this morning told me she was going to have Rhubarb pie for supper and wished me to dine with her never decline such invitations so you will know where I am to night She is a pretty as a Peach and a perfect lady her name Susan Thomas Prettiest woman I have ever saw south of the Ohio River and that is saying a great deal saw some pretty nice girls in Ky Muss Bradford for instance but none cam compete with Miss Thomas But enough or you may think I am struck and you might have something to say in that case --- Heard from my Regt day or two since they were in Georgia How lucky I had the ague just about the time that had to make that awful march I am well as ever I was and enjoying myself finely (since got acquainted in town) saw Fred last night he is well you would scarcely know him he has growed so Anderson is not here yet Dont think he will be have you heard from George lately and where is he? How does Muss E. Humphrey get along and who is waiting on her is any one? Presume your home in Ottawa ere this.

Remember me to friends if any and dont forget to write to Ira B ---

Rather short letter but indeed I have nothing interesting to write suppose of course you have heard of the fight on Potomac quite a slaughter was'nt it?

Firmly yours,
Ira B. Conine

To day is the fourteenth day I have put in Convalescent Camp never have had roll call neither have I been called on for Duty but do as I please and go where I choose who would'nt stay in such a camp if he could I would stay here six months if I could
Ira B.

P.S. Ceased raining and I must get ready to go to town take this letter to Office you know

Address, Ira B Conine
Seventh, Comp Convalescent Camp
Knoxville Tenn

May 15, 1864

Sabbath Evening
Knoxville Tenn
May 15 1864

Dear Miss,

I have been strolling about all day in Company with S Prebble, and feel a little fatigued yet I cant go to sleep to night without giving you a sketch of my whereabouts and it will be but a sketch for I have nothing interesting to write and no letter to answer, I am as yet in Convalescent Camp, I am well and getting along finely, but no prospect of getting to my Regt, wont allow a soldier to lieve Knoxville There are so few here they want to keep them afraid of Guerrillas; have the boys out in line of battle nearly every night I don't care how long they keep me, the longer they keep me the less marching I will have to do and it is but little duty They will ever get out of me here had me on duty once since I have been here if orderly calls for a man and he is nor here he uses some one else consequently I spent most of my time in town as it is only one half mile distance this is the 19th day I have been in this camp and hav'nt recieved a letter from anyone is'nt that too much? Hope I shant stay here 19 days more and not get a letter you will excuse the shortness of this uninteresting and remember the writer is S. I. B. Conine

Hav'nt heard from my Regt for a week

Adredd I. B. C.
Seventh Company
Convalescent Camp
Knoxvill Tenn

P.S. as this was written in a hurry you will excuse scribbling
I. Conine

P.S. guess I had better write on all sides of this sheet keep you from tearing it up to write notes on but will now close and await your answer in a state of unpleasant impatience, and therefore rely on your humanity not to keep me long in suspense, Now if that is'nt style I'll quit, But this Knoxville is a stilish place --- Jennie I would rather spend this evening with you in some other way besides writing

Yours till death,
Sam

Ashamed of Jesus Swansfar[?]
Do you remember that expression yet? I do most assuredly
Write immediately to I.B.C.

May 29, 1864

Knoxville Tenn
May 29 1864

Miss Jennie

Five weeks has elapsed and not a like from you if you have a liesure moment I shall hope to hear from you soon

Yours Respectfully
Ira B. Conine

June 19, 1864

June 19th 1864
Convalescent Camp
Knoxville Tenn

Miss Jennie---

After a lone time waiting yours of June 10th is rec'd --- And another soul made happy in the reciepts of another letter accompanies by Photographs not was'nt that a nice treat for Sabbath morning Dont speak of "Brass Monkeys" --- That is no name for it --- Instead I shall not compliment it for I dont think I could do it justice Indeed at first sight I thought is a boy of sixteen --- Ere I could recognize the picture, I said what a sweet little boy --- Then theres that "Catherine Gross"; Brass Monkeys don't wear cropes --- George certainly had lost his sight I think that cross looks so graceful, becomes you so very much Will you please give me the gentleman's name that made that picture? (I want one dozen) now dont think that I am making sport of that picture for indeed I am not I dont think I ever saw any thing half so beautiful looks just as though it was going to scream but could'nt, poor creature scared half to death

Well Jennie if you would take every thing I say to be earnest no don't but you would be offended but you know I must talk or I would'nt say anything --- I just wish I could be there to tell you verbally, this Sabbath morn what I think of that Photograph; on the original not dont you? indeed that was another shocking letter I wrote May 13th but that extremely lengthy letter of May 29th appeared to beat you how glad I an that you was as disappointed you can tell how I feel now when I dont get any at all I have saw tht time when I would have been thankful for even two lines from you and as for myself I cant write a long letter so you should'nt expect much Then you would'nt get disappointed Dont take everything I say to heart as used to getting better acquainted are you it would be a pity is after so long a time you would'nt know me I think I am pretty well acquainted with you at least I would know you if I should chance to meet you at your fathers some evening Och! You hav'nt forgotten how to say those had words you used to say to me then indeed I shant forget some of them sometimes when I am thinking of the past I think it must have been a dream can hardly make up my mind that it is real (But then I guess it was)

Jennie I shall look for an answer to mine of June 5th 1864 every day till it comes I get a letter here about once a month rec'd a letter from Miss Emma Beach in day or two since also one from Miss Humpurey Jennie I am well and getting along as well as could be expected give my respects to your father and mother and dont let your letters be so scarce

Ira B Conine

Good Day going down town to Church if you will you may accompany
[in left corner of the letter on the first page]

MS 673 - Ira B. Conine Papers, Introduction | Transcript List
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