Head Quarters 77^th Regt. O.V.I.

Little Rock, Ark., Nov 5, 1863.

 

My very dear Wife

            Your kind favors of the 4^th and the 11^th reached me at the same time—one enclosing a letter from my sister Mary Ann. I am so glad to get your letters, dearest, and such sweet ones, too. It is something no one appreciates more than I do, to get letters from the loved ones at home.

 

            I wrote you a few days ago by Wm. Smithson and asked him to call and deliver the letter if he had time.

 

            I got a letter from sister Eliza last mail, which I enclose to you. She says "Lib" and family are well, and that Mary has gone back to "old Pennsylvania" to live with father. I am glad she has. She is a kind good woman, and will do much to smooth his path to the grave, and comfort him during the brief period he can remain with us before his soul de- / parts for a better world than this.

 

            Eliza says she would be so glad if the cry of war were over, and says she is tired of having her "dear friends exposed to a camp life and the battle field", and to have them absent from home and friends. I do not care for the exposure in field or camp, for myself, but I do care for the absence from home and friends. I have very good health and live comfortably here, so I cannot complain.

 

            We are very busy building us a log cabin. It will be 12 by 14 feet, with brick chimney, and a nine light window. Won't that be some?

 

            You are right in saying our family and John Debolt's are less trouble to father than any of the others. Don't say that mother dislikes you and John—she only wishes Mary Ann and I would have married for money rather than for love, and the good qualities of those we married. She knows you are the best daughter-in-law she has and cannot dislike you. She was only "spited" at my not marrying an heiress she had set / her heart upon, but who did not possess mine.

 

            I am glad Lynn is doing so well. I have no doubt he "be sweet duckey" when he tries.

 

            Lee must not get proud at the attention people show him. He is a fine boy, but it would spoil him to "put on airs".

 

            I am glad Emma is still so good to attend to business for you. She is the very best daughter I have, and I think she is quite as good as the daughter of "any other man"—unless it be her grandpa Leckliter's daughter.

 

            Frank will get along well with his studies I know. He was always up with the best of the boys of his age.

 

            It is a good joke on Mary Ann to send her the goods you mention. I would like to see her now, I could pay her up for some of her teasing you.

            Tell Lynn Pa loves him "a dollar a bushel". He still remembers "'Ten" who "eat the peas all up". "Lynnie in room—see Ten put books and letters in trunk". That will do very well for a two year old—remembering three months what he saw put in a trunk. /

 

You think I might feel old, when I get home and see all my big "tads". Don't you believe it. I do not feel old, nor do you look old,—even if you have a daughter almost as large as her ma. I will send you a photograph soon. Then you can see how the whiskers flourish.

 

            I don't think I would like Arkansas as a home. I think Missouri would do much better.

 

            The river is rising, I see by the papers, so you will get coal more easily. I am much pleased at the way you are getting along. It is all we need care much for now if we live right, and educate our children. Marietta is a good place for you while I am in the army.

 

            My regards to the friends generally—including "our girls"—of course.

 

            Much love to you and the children. I shall get any number of sweet kisses when I get home.

 

                                    But I must close for this time

                                               

I am, my darling pet, yours as ever

A.W. M^cCormick

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