Dunkirk March 22^nd 1863

 

My Dear Children

                        it is just four weeks to day since I wrote to you before we have looked long and anxiously for a letter from you but have looked in vain untill last night when a little sun-beam found its way into our desolate home your letters seem to be all the sunlight we are privileged to enjoy your last before this was dated Feb 25 I try to answer every one how I wish you could have been contented here so that we could have been togather now in our heart rending affliction we have had another letter from poor Josie and little Vina too has gone home to Heaven She was only sick one day when her sweet spirit took its flight to the realms of Glory She was comming down with Measles and worms set in

 

                        We are thankfull to hear that you are all well and Dear little Bailey baby bless him kiss him for me and bring him out to see us soon as you can you P^a wants to write so I will close by sending love and kisses to all          your Mother Bailey

 

P.S. what or who was the name of Stewart put on for /

 

Dunkirk March 22^nd 1863

My Dear Children

                        Your kind letter of the 15^th came to us last knight and we were rejoiced to hear from you and to hear that your are well and our prayr is that you may continue to enjoy the same blessing our health and also the health of the neighborhood has been as as good as usual throug the winter with the exception of a few cases of scalet fever among the children and have not been severe and we could have enjoyed ourselves had it not been for the loss of our dear little ones and the terible distraction of our dear country but hapiness is not for this world our country is full of mourning Paul Knight died in the army a few week since Franklin Lyon Benton Lyon Osker Warner have all died in the army within a few weeks Elijah Estes has lost right arm at the second battle of Bullrun Joseph Evans lost a leg at the same place and died shortly after Lute Farnum was shot through the lungs but has recovered Tom Campbell was shot through the leg and is cripeled for life but I presume that you have enough of the horors of war nearer home and I will leave the subject. Our winter has been very mild and open indeed too much so for comfort we have had more mud than we have had before altogether since we have been in the state and to day it is raining finely Your cows are still on hand I tried to sell them last spring for 25 then for 20 and finally for 15 dollars each and could not but money is some plentier now and I hope they will sell but paper is out and I must close please accept my best love and come and see us as soon as possible     Your Father Theo Bailey

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