18 pages, 1 3/4 x 3, in ink, written by Louise W. Lumpkin to Philippina "Rena" McDowell. Interesting letter that is tied together with a piece of ribbon. A tiny hole was created at the edge of each individual piece of glossy card stock, and it is all held together with a piece of ribbon.

Forysth, [Ga.], July 21, [1863]

My Darling,

There's a magic charm about thee. Love, a chord invisible, but deep, seems binding me to this. When at night, upon my pillow, I lay down my weary head to rest, like a dove on airy billows you come to my heart, and then my cares of earth are banished, thoughts of sorrow all flee away. Yes, I am sad without thee, though I seem so bright & gay. Ah, there is naught within this world so like to heaven above, as pure, holy & undefiled reciprocated love. My gem! My joy. My jewel! Do you not believe I love you? Do I love thee darling? Yes, & more. I worship, idolize, adore. I could not help it, nor do I wish to if I could. Even of this I'm fondly dreaming, my own beautiful darling! I saw you last night in my dreams. Skin so soft & rosy, such soft & silken hair, such eyes of hazel, lips like ripe cherries too. I know. Deeds are fruits, words are but leaves, yet oh, yet freely would I die for you. It seems to me since I've known you Pet the air is full of song & the earth of flowers, and joy falls down in showers. I am happy today! The wind steals odor from the new mown hay, sweeter than buds in May. Rena, you came to me whispering like the soft voice of an angel, whose white wings had flittered unseen into my chamber. Your words of love are like blessed seed scattered in hidden valleys & by places of this world. They have been like morning dew & evening fragrances to my heart. Your letters are lilies of truth, love & peace. Your words are strength to the weary, balm to the wounded. Mc! Mc! How the days run into one another! And if they go into the past bearing no mark or message from me, be the fault on the head of a certain individual who has a most irresistible way of wheedling me out of my time. I suppose Dearest, I shall have to forgive you, for it is so pleasant to be necessary to another's happiness, especially when that other is so to yours. I wonder if one of these days you will not weary of me & some new idol take my place? I wonder if you much care were I to give another your place? I wonder if you could be made jealous? I wonder if twould break your heart were I to cease loving & writing to you? I wonder if you would love me then? You must not think me crazy for writing you this love note. I am lonesome & happy, have nothing else to do. I want to talk to you. Say something to me. Heart's case that will leave foot prints on the sands of time. Forseyth is full of excitement. The village is crowded with wounded soldiers. I go down to the depot & camps every day & do all I possibly can for their comfort, from washing their face & hands, down to dressing wounds which are dreadful. This warm weather with gangrene. All the nicest girls in our state have taken matrons places. I have not though. I dress the wounded & wait on them at the depot & have charge of four elegant privates in camp & am looking every day for my husband. My friend, Major McG, who is wounded, is the image of my dearest friend Dandy. I see we are having a great deal of fighting at Charleston. Hope my sweetheart Eddie Hamlin will come out all safe. Rena, my heart's idol, I do not know yet what time to tell you to meet me on my way to Va. I hope soon. Mc you know there is only one step to the lowest to the highest. Listen, I have the poetical fever, in fact I feel full of mischief today. Here is some of my own compositions dedicated to you. After reading them over, I felt lifted up several inches. Perhaps they may comfort you in this vale of tears.

Life

Dedicated to Miss McDowell

Flow on, my tears flow on,
My eyes are wet & red,
I love to weep when I am sad,
I wish that I was dead,
For friendship's cords all break into,
When on them I do lean,
I love to weep for such because,
I think it is so mean,
The wild wind whistles through the pines,
The clothes are switching on the line,
And I am growing gray,
Flow on o' river wide & deep!
Flow on!
As you race to the ever washing sea,
The burden of my woe,
Then say not it is weak to weep,
When everything is pain!
It washes from my eyes the dirt,
And eases off my brain.

I do not wish these simple lines to make you feel "wus" but I have written as I felt perzactly. Darling, I am getting back all my old wickedness & meanness. I feel wild today. Have you had any peaches, watermelons, &c, &c.? How long are you going to stay with Mr. McKewn's family? Rose bud you have not voluntarily written me a real sweet letter in 8 months. You fascinate & bewitch me. I live only through you. Mc you are engaged to me. I never intend to marry unless you do. I want you for my darling little wife. You wear my engagement ring. Remember you are mine. Yes, mine. Even if you once did tell me you were not certain. Only thought you were mine. Pray for me. Prayer is the spy glass that brings heaven near. Write to me at Macon care of J.W. Knott. I have wearied you enough with my chat. Hand me my gloves & hat. Come, won't you kiss me? Well, I shan't coax you my sunshine. I must away before night gathers here certain & pins it with a jeweled star. Kiss me love! Don't be foolish. None shall know it. Come kiss your sweetheart. There! My pet, my diamond.

Goodbye,
Lou
Lou W. Lumpkin

Very well written love letter with an original poem within and some very interesting content from one young young woman to another.

Also includes the following note from Lou Lumpkins to Rena.

Dear Mc,

These cuffs are very stylish with a silk or muslin dress. If you make some, which I would of white linen, I would put a frill around them which will make them look much better. You don't know how elegant they will look with your black dresses for the morning this winter. They open on the top of the arm & button with gold buttons. Those you make of black, make just a little larger, for this pattern was cut by one of mine which is larger, as it has a frill around it. Mr. Pinkard wants to see you if he is here when you come. He will be like a Bro. to us. He tells me everything about the young men as Dandy would have told us. I knew him before. He wants to see you very much.

Goodbye, my own sweet pet,
Lula

The recipient of these letters was Philippina, "Rena" McDowell. Her brother, George A. McDowell, also mentioned in this letter by his nickname, "Dandy," was a member of the 6th South Carolina Cavalry. He was killed on John's Island, S.C., in February 1864. This was the second great tragedy of the war that Rena would suffer. Her fiance, William F. McKewn, a member of the Palmetto Sharpshooters, was killed in action on Dec. 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va. These two young, dead Confederate soldiers, George A. McDowell, and William F. McKewn, were best friends and former classmates at the Citadel Military Academy of Charleston, S.C.

Louise W. Lumpkin, the young lady who wrote this letter, was from a prominent Georgia family. Her mother Isabella Wilson Lumpkin, married her cousin, Henry Hopson Lumpkin, who was the brother of ex-Georgia Governor, Wilson Lumpkin.