Dear Viola, 

       Are you sure this war will end? Father says it will, but I doubt him sometimes. There’s a battle going on not far from our farm, and it’s scaring the animals. I heard that during the Revolutionary War, a cow exploded. I hope Butter doesn’t explode. 

I don’t want people I love to die. I don’t think anybody does, but I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re my best friend. This war just needs to end so things can go back to normal. I just want Hugh to be able to come home. I don’t think this atrocity will ever end.

 But I need to maintain composure. I need to have hope that it will, and that the union wins. I need the Union to win so we have control over this beautiful country. Because they won’t listen, and they want to hurt people. You shouldn’t want to do that. 

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth Ann Fletcher