Johnson’s Island Ohio

March 11^th/64

My Dear Wife

A good many Flag Truce letters came in today, but none from you- I felt much disappointed, for I was sanguine of getting one from you, besides! No news from you now, Liner the 27^th ult. I had a letter from dear mother of 31^st Jany which made me verry happy etc. I was verry glad to hear thro her of L. & you. Tell her I wrote her a few days ago. Kiss her for me & tell her I am well, & cheerful, & hopeful of a speedy exchange. Our life here is the same from day to day- the same monotonous, dull, round- But you need not think we are a gloomy set, looking woebegone etc. We have brave stout hearts, which no calamity can subdue, no prison chains can bind. We have our pastimes, our amusements, & then we have our pleasant thoughts- upermost of which are dreams, & meditations of the loved ones at home. Today one of our room mates rec’d a letter from a lady correspondent, enclosing a specimen of the early Spring flowers. Many were the pleasant jests interspersed with much merryment growing out of receipt of the [?] “herbs”. So you need not think we do not have our fun, or are in low spirits. But dear, I am wanting to see you more & more every day. Indeed! Since the news that some exchanges have been effected reached me, I have been more restless than ever, & Sleep has not been front to me; for upermost is my anxiety to be enroute to Dixy. Poor Jule Cumming died on the 9^th inst. I was verry sorry for this- He had been wounded, & sick a long time. None others of my Brigade have scarcely been sick at all- Give sister & all my love. Remember me particularly to my mother. I have a ring (gutapercha) a which I made for you, & will bring you when I come. Press my dear boy to your heart for me, & tell him I hope to see him soon, verry much. Your devoted husband- Stephen A. Corker

Capt. & Prisoner war

I enclose you the ring.

[with envelope]