Wedesday Morning March 4/63

Cinda & I are readily to start for Springhill from Elis at Towanda

Tuesday evening 7 oclock

            Feb 24^th 1863

                                                                                    My Dear Brother

I have just got home & whilst my thoughts are busily following you I resort to pen & paper; I have been today to Auburn to look at a Pair of matched Horses thinking to By them; But did not find them at home. Then circuited around a little tryed to buy a few cows but would not pay the the prices asked. They ask 25 to 35 Dollars for Cows. I think I can do better to Sel my hay if I have any to spare. It is worth 9 to 10 Dollars per ton We have but 11 head of cattle 14 Sheep & 2 horses. I think we shall have some hay to spare if we dont get any more stock We had a fall of snow on sunday of about 10 inches it was verry acseptable altho there is indication of Rain to Night I had the pleasure of reading a letter from Cinda the other day. It was written to Delia. She is in Leroy I wrote to Her immediately. It was the first correct news I had heard from Her. She said Her Pet had been sick but was well then; She said Her health was poor but She hoped in a few Days to be able to ride I wrote that I would come to Leroy after Her/as soon as She thought she could ride to SpringHill. I am anxiously waiting to get a letter from Her. Our Folks are all Better Clarence has been to School 2 days & Huldah has been to Auburn with me today; Good Night.

 

Thursday evening 26^th 7 oclock It has been raining & the Snow has about all left so that our Sleighing is gon. We have had the most rain this winter I ever new in one winter I have been sick most all Day with headache & Mr Vaness & Wife has been hear from Standing Stone & now there is a couple of Girls just came in & they are jabbering so I hardly know what I am writing. I have not heard from Cinda yet, Sins I wrote, I hope I shall hear by the next mail—We went last night & viseted a sick Soldier; It was Melville Black. He goes on crutches He is poor as a snake I red some of your letters to Him & showed Him some of your Maps He was greatly interested as well as the rest of the Family—we have had a power of Company this winter It is the first winter I have been at home steady for Ten years. I shall have to adjourn my head feals so verry bad; Friday evening 27^th It has cleared of & the wind blows from the north west; I have been verry busy to/day. We have had company from Orwell to day They are gon & I have just got my chors don; Huldah is sick to night with Pain in the stomach Ed is on one side of me & Clarence on the other writing Compositions They are preparing for the last day of School—

 

Saturday evening 28^th I have Just Recd a letter from you & one from Cinda Hers was Dated 24^th of Feb she & pet is well) and yours th the 31^st of Jan. We read them with great interest We was verry sorry to hear that you are sick. I am not Supprised that you are discouraged for I think the way this War has been conducted is enough to disharten any honest, candid man; to see our noble Soldiers led to slaughter & to Death, by Disonest & Drunken Offisers is enough to Disharten the the best men in the World. Altho I know we have some good & tryed Offisers in the army that have don nobly for there Country; Yet we have so many disonest drunken Soules. The honest ones are in danger more or less of not only losing ther honest dues, but there lives also, and in my opinion this war cannot end verry soon without we can get officers that thinks more of there country than they do of/Shampain & gambling. It is verry singular to me that you don’t get more of my letters, for I have tryed to keep you posted in regard to our health & frequently have written when I hardly new how to interest you. The Rebels must get some of our letters I am sure; I cannot express my gratitude to you for being so prompt in writing Altho your letters are generally from 4 to 6 weeks coming. Your Discription of the Battle at Vicksburg with map, was Rec^d & promptly answered. Also an account of the Battle at Arkansas Post wit Butifull Maps. That was also also answered. Then Ed got one with Butifull Maps and a letter for Mason. He answered that, Altho that had been delayed and Reuben got your letter of the 24 of Jan after your return to Vicksburg. we are in great anxiety to hear from you again We have vague Reports about Vicksburg, but nothing Positive. I calculate to go after Cinda Tuesday. She & your Pet are well. It has turned cold & I hope we Shall have a fall of Snow, so we can Sleighride some after Cinda gets hear, I have a Splendid Cutter & a good single horse—I must close by Sending much love to you from Huldah, Ed, Clarence & others of your Friends to numerous to mention

 

I remain your sincere Friend & Brother

                                                C. W. Browning

SOURCES