Wallie's speak a piece on "Wideawakes"

Home Nov 26^th/62

           

My Dear Cyrus,

                                    Are you tired waiting for a letter. I wrote to you Sunday evening, but somehow couldn't seem to think of much to say, so put it in the stove. Suppose you must be down somewhere near the rebs now, at a safe distance I hope. We are all as well as usual, but myself, I have a lame stiff neck. It is Thanksgiving tomorrow dont know whether I shall go home or not. I helped Mother pick four turkeys today to sell but they have just killed a pig, so have so much fresh meat, they will not have eat a turkey if can sell them. Father / started for New York today. He went as far as Waterford last week with one boat, sent it on & came back to finish loading the other, had a thousand bushels over the two boat loads, fifty bushels frozen. I should have sent you a box of eatables long ago if you had been stationary long enough, but thought it was not safe as long as you were on the march.

 

Is Ebenezer near you? his mother was buried yesterday. she died very sudden.

 

            Wallie is going to speak a piece Friday, about the Wide Awakes—the cutest poetry I have seen in some time.

 

I hear Charley O. is sick at the Albany barracks.

 

Mr Clark, I guess, thinks of staying this winter—hope so, as mother had such a time last winter / getting somebody to do the chores. Mr Welch sent a man here to dun me for the coal last week he was in a hurry, for I had not had it a fortnight—of course I did not pay it as I had not money enough—told Mr Casey I could let him have five dollars. he said that would not help much & didn't take it. Mrs Kelly paid me two dollars. The clock is striking ten, and the boy will be waking so I must close. Mrs Pond is living in the parlor. Matthews came & fixed the cellar wall & put in a window frame. Smith is going to make the sash soon. Nelson Welch banked up the house today. I am looking out for some apples—dont know exactly where to put them when I get them. the cellar is most full or will be when Mrs Pond gets her wood put in. /

 

I am so glad you are so prompt in writing to me. I don't hear of any body else that has letters as often as I do. I rec'd one from Ellen the other day. she had been to Wis' for a visit—the her health was much as usual, not very good. Mary Clark has just got home from Michigan and is very anxious I should make her a visit—perhaps I may—just as convenient. Cicero will drive the colt & take me over I guess—have not asked him but think he will.

 

            Well, good night—hope you will get no worse, will either get some easier place, or come home safely—dont let them cheat you out of your pay.

                                                                                   

Your loving wife

Hattie—

 

What is the opinion in the army, is the army to go in winter quarters, without doing the rebels any damage?

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