[No envelope; single sheet of paper 7" tall by 11" wide,
folded down the middle to form a 2-page "book" with four
sides. Only the first 3 sides have blue lines for writing,
with JHC writing perfectly on the lines with excellent
penmanship. The sheet of paper was then unfolded, and
re-folded into thirds with two verticle folds, and then
folded into fourths with two horizontal folds.]

[page one:]
                                Pleasant Hill Missouri
                                       April 10th 1864

My own dear Emmie
                                I am quite well
today. The rain that has been so uncomfortable
for several days has ceased to fall. And
the sun shines out in all his splendor
and magnificence. The balmy breeze of
spring comes hovering about my tent and
passes on to mingle in the boisterous rambles
of the uneasy wind and as I sit by
my desk I hear the wild birds singing
sweet songs of welcome to the bright and
pleasant sabbath morning -- And I
though seperated by many long miles from
dear friends feel happy this morning
yes happy because I know there is one
who is thinking of the absent Soldier Boy

[page two:]
today -- just two weeks since I was with you
O that I were there now   how pleasantly
we could spend this beautiful day. And dearest
I hope you may enjoy this beautiful day,
though I am far away remember that I
always think of her who loves me and
though long months may roll by before we
meet I shall ever know you love me still
O how great it is to have a bosom friend
one that is true to her promise - I am ten
times as happy now as I was before I knew
you loved me  I hope you are entirely well
now so you can go out to hear the gaily
birds singing and watch the blooming spring
flower in its tender growth and let those
gentle zephyers fan that smiling face
Emmie I want to be with you to stay with
to leave you no more but I must serve my
country like a soldier should  I cannot leave
my brethern in the field battling for the 

[page three:]
government and go home to live in peace no
I must do my duty to my country and then
I will hasten to my "Emmie" and I know
she will meet me with smiles and pleasure
       I wrote to Miss Lydia Harvey
yesterday & received a letter from Miss Louisa
Ferguson a few days since but their letters do
not fill my soul with joy as the secret letters
do from "Emmie" I hope I may receive them
often you must write long letters
       Give my love to Annie M. and to
your sister - May love protect you from
           all danger is the prayer of
                Jimmie H Crawford

Miss Maggie Bourn