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better off in the worlds goods than I was. That I was young and strong and could soon place her (my own expectation) upon a social equality with her brothers I pointed out to her what a sacrifice she would have to make. That I could not sacrafice an inate principal. I would die first. I then asked her if she was ready to make the sacrifice. She said she was. All this transpired (though not just in the words) before I considered our engagement binding and so the matter rested till a short time of the time when was to have been celibrated our nuptuals; when I received a letter (which I will not pretend to quote) expressing regret that she had ever entered into a contract which would compell her to sacrifice all she had in the world. And as though nothing had transpired on the subject warned me that if I married her I would get a peniless bride. I read the letter and these two thoughts fixed themselves in my mind. Eather she had loved me but now ceased to do so, or that she had never loved me - and was acting coquetting. I was inclined to give heed to the first thought but let which one would be true if she was coquetting with me a knoledge of that fact would drounded out any love I had borne her. I could not brook an insult so direct if she had ceased to love me and was tired of the engagement. Of course the part of a gentleman would compell me to set her free. I did it in a tender language as I know how to use. In answer to which she told me We meet henceforth as strangers the note admitted of no reply. So the thing stood. Annie has been away a long time. She got home last week. I meet her hast night I would have spoken to her but she passed me by in a manner which showed to me that if she had ever felt any love for me it is all gone. Henceforth we must be strangers not that it is my wish but because such treatment renders it necessary. I still have the most tender feeling for the little wayward girl but love her again think I never could. My prayer to heaven for Annie is that she may get some one that is more worthy of her than I am for at best I am but a poor specimen of humanity. R. B. Crossman. I have now wrote you all he told me. I appears to me that you are some what in the fault, but I hope not. Don't mention that I wrote this to you for he may not like it. I hope if you see that you are in the fault you will make atonement for the same. This is all I have to say at the present as I will have to write to Mother, Lee & [M?]. I will close this then. Remember me to all friends write soon for I always am glad to hear from you. Direct to 2 Brig. 4th Divis. 13 Army Corps, New Orleans, La, to follow the Regt, and oblige you affect. Brother Jebbie Rowe