Near Sharpsburg Md

October 18^th 1862

 

My dear wife

            After three weeks of abstinence I received last night your letter of the 7^th. I am glad to hear your accounts of the children & family affairs. tell Frank that I am not willing that he should go to Billiard Saloons without some person that you think proper accompany him. They are often very vile places and never desirable for people not of greater age. It is not well for him either to be in the habit of going out evenings.

 

            About November 15^th you had best send Mr Coit a check payable to his order for 150 dollars and as much more as his bill of extras amounts to. They will give you at the store a check for the exact amount.

 

            Mr Cobb writes to me that he is coming. I am sorry for it—I wouldnt hurry if I was in his place.

 

            The officer who called upon you was Lieut Boyd who resigned in order that he might become sutler. I approved because he was no soldier.

 

            Dana & Robinson are here the latter just arrived. Prescott not here yet. There is no trouble in getting to the regiments when officers want to do it. Nobody but Prescott ever heard of the order against it. 

 

            I daily feel more and more desirous of getting a little land somewhere to salt down for the children through these troubled financial times but I dont see how anybody can do it except myself—If you know of any sale of houses in your vicinity or of places out of the city let me know of them. Paragraphs of newspapers which you think interesting or entertaining—cut out & send—please.

 

            Please to ask Mr Richards what became of the wine—I ordered it but never received it. What I ordered was 3 doz Sauterne at 6$. I dont know what Edith paid or Mary ought to pay for board. E. can tell you one & you can decide the other with Mary. Edith had a good deal of room for one person you remember

 

            Hoyt is in Sharpsburg gaining slowly. He writes regularly to Mrs H. I know. I should like you to send me by mail a woolen colored shirt like the others I had. 16 inches round the neck.

 

            This you will notice is a business letter. We got back last night about 9 oclock from a reconnoitering expedition of two days to Lee town and were lucky to get back any way, as it was the Rebs followed in back sharp. /

 

I will try to write to some of you tomorrow.

 

            Love to the family.

                                   

Affy Your husband

Fran^s J Parker

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