Burlington April 21^st 1864

 

My Darling Husband

                                    Mother and I reached here yesterday morning. I meant to write to you yesterday but there was so many to see that I could not get the time. we did not have a very pleasant journey, and just the other side of Davenport while we were crossing the rapids a boat going up the river ran into our boat, and it was nothing but the mercy of God that saved us from being killed. the pilot said that he as much expected to sink as he ever expected to die. there was three ladies of us up in the pilot house / when the accident happened I must say that I was badly frightened, and indeed all aboard was Capt, pilot and all the crew but fortunately there was no one hurt the boat was considerably shuttered, and my wrist strained we had no trouble to find our folks after we got here, but they are all entire strangers to me except Ben and his wife. my Aunt Libbie is fifty five years old but she has not a decayed tooth and scarcely a grey hair, but Oh dear you ought to see her daughter she is about twenty eight and she is broader than she is long, have not a doubt but that she will weigh two hundred and fifty or three hundred pounds I would not be as large as she is for any thing in the world. I have / not seen those that live in the country yet, but I guess that we shall go meet them this week if it will only stop raining long enough for us to get out there. I am so glad that you are coming home so soon, I shall begin to look for you now in a week or two. I am so lonely and home sick without you darling, I dont know what I should do if you should not come home soon for I shall be afraid to attempt going back home alone. I was sorry that I started but if you are here to go home with me I shall not care so much Yes my dear I will try to be a good girl. I have several cries about your saying that you was going to play cards because I did I have not touched one since / you was home, nor I dont think that I shall until you are home again. do hurry home my dear. I need you at home now darling very much. I want you to come so much that I can scarcely wait until you are here

 

I heard uncle say last night that the Red river expedition was defeated and that they had lost two thousand. I am almost discouraged sometimes in regard to our having the rebels whipped out. hurry home darling I am very anxious to go to our home I am so tired of running round, and I ought to be home and settled now. All send love you know how to direct. I hope that you wont have to write much more, but I want you to write often until you can come

with love I am ever truly

                       

Your wife

Annie

 

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excuse this poor letter dear for I am almost sick today, and then the baby is one of the biggest mischiefs but it is cunning as it can be hurry dear will you come up the river to here or will you take the cars at Cairo with much love I am yours Annie

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