Columbus, O., Nov 25, 62.

 

My Dear Wife

            I arrived here Sunday morning, and after breakfast went to Worthington, to see the folks, finding that no official notice of our exchange had been received here.

 

I found the folks all well, except your brother Peter. He is in rather poor health—having been suffering under an attack of ague. He has very troublesome night sweats and a bad cough. The Doctor called to see him while I was there, and I hope he will soon be better. Henry looks pretty feeble yet, but is improving. He walked to Columbus yesterday, and home again to-day. I think he will be an able-bodied man before long. 

 

Frank belongs to the 95^th Regt., which is exchanged and ordered into Camp Chase. He is a great stout fellow, with his face all covered with beard. I think he can stand the service. Clark Wilkison was wounded at Perryville, Ky., and his father has gone after him. They fear he will not recover. Milo was well at last accounts, as were James and C. W. Leckliter.

 

            You would hardly know Rebecca and Rhoda Alice, they have grown so much. They are both larger than Mary, and she has not fallen away much. They are quite handsome girls. Mary talks like she thinks herself an old maid,—and says it is time to think so when she has two younger sisters full grown. Would you believe it she has some gray hairs already—but don't you / tell her I mentioned it to you. She might be sensitive about it. She showed me the picture of the late lamented Mr. Love. He looked almost as young as I do and I think was a fine looking man. He willed her $360 dollars in cash and a farm of 160 acres of land in the West in two miles of a county seat. The land was valued some time ago at $10 or more an acre. She mourns him as she would have done a lost husband.

 

            Margaret and her next oldest sister are both full grown women now. It surprises me to see all these girls so large, who were but children when I saw them last time we were at Worthington. The other children have also grown much. Peter and his wife look consistently older, and Ann has increased some in years. James / looks better than when you last saw him, except that his whiskers are getting a little gray. They now live in half a mile of each other, James living in sight of Worthington. An omnibus runs from Columbus every evening and returns every morning. So for 25 cts I can get to James at any time while I stay here.

 

I came in yesterday and reported to General Cooper. He says he has not yet got official notice of our exchange and orders us to stay in Columbus a few days till he knows what to do with us. It was very important for us to come just as we did, as an imperative order has been issued to all, except those having sick leave to come here at once. We are in good time, but none too soon. Gov. Tod to-day ordered Capt. Kinkead's commission revoked, and gave Capt. Chandler a duplicate of the one he lost. He also commissioned Jesse Hildebrand, Jr., a 2d Lieut in Co H. He refused to fill any more vacancies.

 

            I am very well and boarding at a good private boarding house at 170 High St. Mr Layman and family board here. If I stay here long, and cannot get leave to go home I want you to bring the children up to Worthington. Write Soon

                                                           

Good bye for this time.            A.W. M^cC.

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