1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

6. Underlining in the original document is repeated in the transcript.

7. An attempt is made to keep editing to a minimum to preserve the often unique character of the original.

-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1856-1861 16 items Letters of John P. Lightner to Amanda C. Armentrout Brand #11332

March 28th 1861

Greenville Augusta Co Va

Dear Kate

Tis said that absence conquers love

But oh believe, it not

I’ve tried alas its powers to prove,

But thou are not forgot.

Lady though fate has bid us part,

Yet still thou art as dear-

As fixed to this devoted heart

As when I clasped you here[.]

I plunged into the busy crowd,

And smiled to hear thy name,

And yet as if I thought aloud

They know me still the same, -

And when the wine-cup passes, round,

I toast some other pair;

But when I ask my heart the sound,

Thy name is echoed there.

And when some other name I learn

And try to whisper love,

Still will my heart to the[thee] return

Like the returning dove;

In vain I never can forget

And would not be forgot

For I must bear the same regret

Whatever may be my lot.

Even as the wounded bird would seek,

It’s favorite bower to die

So lady I would with you speak

And give the parting sigh.

If other guests should come I’d deck my hair

And choose my newest garments from the shelf

When thou art bidden I would clothe my heart

With holiest purpose as for god him self[.]

For them I wile the hours with tale or song,

Or web of fancy, fringed, with careless rhyme,

But how to find a fitting lay for thee,

Who hast the harmonies of evry time.

God bless you darling when the moon

Shames far away the mist of night

And trails above the waving corn

Her gorgeous glory robes of light[.]

God bless you when the Sunset tints

Warm the high battlements of heaven,

As day a fond warm kiss imprints,

Upon the gentle brow of even.

God bess you, may your sleep be sweet

And fraught with bright & peaceful dreams,

And waking may your youthful feet

Tread, mid lovers flowers ,by crystal streams.

Oh friend beloved, I sit apart and dumb

Sometimes in sorrow, oft in joy divine,

My lips will falter, but my prison’d heart

Springs forth to measure its faint pulse with thine.

Written by your humble friend P. L.

Scorn not the simple words,

Though with simple rusticks [sic] towered,.