Saint Louis, Ms.
September 30, 1864
My dear Miss Carrie,
I returned to this place today, & as there is some prospect of my leaving in pursuit of the rebels now making a raid in this state, I wish to say that should you address your letters to me here I will receive them, as I have made arrangements to have my letters forwarded to me.
A great deal of excitement has been created here by this invasion of the "rebs,* much indeed I am inclined to think unnecessary - Some politics of course had to be mixed up in it, & to appease the feelings of angry Dutchmen who refused to fight under Gen. Blair, he has been relieved & your humble servant substituted as you will see by the enclosed order.
I regret more & more to see the bitterness of feeling which pervades the political circles In this section of the country; unless it is checked or moderated it mill end in bloodshed. I am popular here at present with the fancies of these people, but they are so fickle that I expect when I least deserve it, to receive their reprobation - This will not deter me in the least from doing what I think I ought to do, for I have not much faith in public opinion in times like these -
I enclose you a very pleasant letter from General Hancock; it is a good autograph, besides giving you some of the ideas of as distinguished a man as he has proved himself to be. His expression, "oh how physically wearied I am," speaks volumes of the hardships and struggles our noble soldiers have to support, show they are groaning for an honorable peace & the suppression of the rebellion - Do not think it is any breach of confidence in me to send you such letters? I know Hancock so well I am certain he would willingly consent to it . - I told Ingalls I had given his letter "to the young lady who had the ponies," as a specimen of his levity.- He laughed, & said "all right I wish you to know these men who are playing so grand a role in the country's history, as I know them - You cannot do so in a better way than by reading their letters which are characteristic -
Since I left you, I have striven with my feelings for you, until I am completely vanquished - To attempt - to restrain them, only increases their power over me, & I very frankly tell you so. It is such a happiness to love you that I cease to be myself in my thoughts of you. My late visit to Southfield is like a beautiful dream of which you are the guiding spirit - and you will always appear to me, what your generous good nature, delicacy of feeling and true loveliness of character indelibly impressed upon my memory every moment of the time -
You promised to command me? Do so always, and do not forget the French proverb: ce que femme vent, Dieu le vent:
Remember me in the kindest manner to Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, and give Elsie and me a kiss in remembrance of our romps together - Good night.
Yours as ever,
A Pleasanton

Miss Caroline P. Townsend,
Southfield,
Orange County,
New York State.