Try reading the whole thread - there's a lot of information on it.
A few generations ago, educated people wrote and often spoke in flowery sentimetal language whose import is often hard for us to undertand. Girls and women would profess undying love, call each other stuff like "Dearest Bosom Friend" and the like - all without any sexual motive or action. LIfelong friendships were valued, and people expressed themselves very differently. Did you see "Gods and Generals"? One of the criticisms of the movie was the ornate, flowery dialogue.
It was taken from contemporary letters.
I didn't read this book. The book I'm referring to is old. And I don't need to read the whole thread to express an opinion :-)