Columbus, Ohio                                 

January 21, 1864.              

     

My very dear Wife

                        I have received two letters from you, directed to Columbus; but the last one was written some seven days ago. I have been watching the mail closely for another one, but it does not come. Doubtless you thought we would be home before this—so did I, but it is slow work mustering men here. We have our rolls all ready to muster to-morrow morning, and / I hope we may possibly get home Saturday night, but it not probable that we will get to Marietta before Monday or Tuesday. I intend to telegraph S.S. Knowles Esq., when we start, as he requested me to do, when he left here today.

 

            I am very well, and hope to find you well when I come. I am very sorry to learn that you were unwell when you wrote last. Dearest, if we could always be together at home, and in good health, how pleasantly our time / would pass. I hope we may soon be so blessed.

 

            I send this by Mr. Ed. Booth, who came up yesterday with some recruits. He is getting to be quite a business man.

 

            I am very anxious to get home, to see my dear sweet wife and children. I am almost out of patience waiting here.

 

            I will bring you the new dress, dearest. If we would get paid off, I would get you some nice presents. I am getting a new / suit here, which will cost sixty dollars for coat, pants, vest, boots and cap. But as I have got no clothes since I left Alton, of any account, I need them very much.

 

            I have so much to say to you when I come home.

 

            Kiss all the children for me. Tell Lynn Pa will come soon, for his "huggy and kissey".

 

            Mr. Knowles says the people are to give us a reception at Marietta. I hope it will be a kind one.

                                                           

As ever, dearest, yours

Mac.

 

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