Addie insists that she can only think of Charlie as a brother, not as a sweetheart. She asks him to do the same. She worries that his move to Romney from Charleston means more danger.

   I have returned
from school but how should I answer
your kind letter: If I should answer
it as I recievedit; it would be
with bitter oh,such bitter tears.
Should I tell youwhy I wept?
No, dear Charlie Icannot now perhaps
Inever can, but be assured my
reasons are resistless. Dear Charlie
my spirit hasstriven to watch
over and guard thee, and hourly
& fervant prayers has risen to the
throne of Grace for your safety.
But that prayer was only as a
true andlovingsister would
pray for abrother. I have striven
aquired any other feeling save a
sisterly love and Dear Charlie[ I]

    One would perhaps conclude
that I was the affiancied of an-
other, but dear Charlie,thank God
I am not -- this may seem strange
to you and if you demand my
reasons lay the case open before
God, and he may give them.
But dear Charlie ought I to
be recognized even as your

"Ohio Sister,"

    I thought I should
finish this, to me, painful letter
last night, but found myself so
excited that I could not.
I will now try to do it.

   Dear Charlie, how your last letter
saddened the heart of Addie. In speaking
of the possibility that you might
fall in the defense of your country.

   Yes, dear Charlie you would be
deeply regretted by Addie. She
would be deprived ofone true
friend. But I must dispel
such thoughts. I regretted very
much your leaving Charleston.
I fear that you will be in a
much more dangerous position
at Romney than at Charleston.

    My efforts to protect thee are vain
without His assistance.

    I will send this by Capt. Wood
when he goes to his company.

    Please send me your address as
soon as convenient.