[Letterhead:    Post Quartermaster’s Office,

                                                                                                Nashville, Tenn.,]

                                                                                                            March 11^th [1864.]

 

My dear brother.—

                                    Your letter of the 1^st is a study and I know just under what spur you wrote it. Don’t feel or allow yourself to feel “blue or miserable”;—a mere natural question as I accidently made, ought not to get you off the track so quick;—I shall be more careful in my expression hereafter.—

 

            A loss of a debt is tantalizing and unpleasant at all times, but not matter enough to feel the anxiety you do in connection with momentary troubles, after the experience of –60 and –61;—having successfully and with credit to yourself gone through that trying time, you will easy enough get through now. But John, where was your calculation and wisdom by draining your Cash to pay Uncle Lewis, who pressed you to keep it?—I know both your anxiety to be out of debt and reluctance of paying interest;—but both better be borne, until they can be dispensed with without the harrassing feelings of how to meet financial engagements, when such a willing creditor, as Uncle Lewis, more than meets you half way.—I want to insert a word of caution here;—Keep both sides of your business as evenly balanced, as you possibly can;—this high pressure prosperity will have its reverse and he, is wise, that in time of calm, prepares for a storm./

 

As regards my getting $60⁰ a month, is all without foundation and I doubt somewhat, of Sarah’s telling it just so; if she did, “it was whistling to keep courage up.” If I do as well, as I did last year, is all I hope for from Isom,—but it may be brought about yet, that I can do better other wheres.—I had a letter from Uncle William last week,—worth its weight in gold and sapphyres. Such good, sound, living, fatherly counsel and encouraging words,—such a genuine friendship;—an insight of true manhood, where money alone, is not the alpha and omega of one’s life,—I had never received from any source before and I am proud of being the recipient of the letter,—besides, and a matter of just pride to me, is the plain, unvarnished acknowledgment of the worth of my wife, who in the past, has been looked upon with derision by them all;—he writes “[German, in German script]”, and again in an other part of the letter “[same]”.—Let them keep their silk dresses and presents!—the honest truth is of far more value, than all the baubles they can deck on both wife and children.—Which of our other Uncles, would act with such justice?—I got Mimi’s first attempt at letter writing; as her mother tells me, Sis done it without any assistance, I am much gratified with it, as she spells correct, even if the letters are made upside down.—I wrote to Lona on the 1^st inst., as no doubt, you are long since aware.—Through Frost’s kindness, I am in possession of my overcoat at last;—the whiskey, you sent, was used in the front,—all right enough, ‘though I do not know, who got it,—Nieman did’nt.—

 

Love to Lona.—Write soon.                           Your’s affectionately

                                                                                                Edward

 

Know nothing yet of my coming home.—am in fair health.

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