Memphis Tenn Jan 2 1863

 

Dear Miriam

                        I hope you have spent ahappy New Year as for myself I have never suffered more in my life than I have since the 29 of Dec I have acontinual pain in my back that is verry severe and adull headache the doctors say that my kidneys are affected and that I am taking the yellow jaundice I thought last night that this morning I would write to you to come and nurse me until I got well but I do not see how you could leave home and come five hundred and thirty five miles to nurse me I have not eat as much in five days as I eat at one meal when I am well If you should take anotion to come your best trip would be to come to Cairo on the cars and then take aboat for Memphis it would cost you / about fifteen dollars to come If you do come bring about 4 good blankets or quilts and we will rent alittle room and stay by ourselves I do not sit up two hours in the day and cant walk but averry little If I was out of this scrape I would see the devil have every person that was interested in getting me in before I would come into the service my views are greatly changed in regard to our so-called great men to what it was when I left home I supposed with such anoble army they certainly would accomplish something what are they doing waiting waiting You ought to see what asoldier has to go through they have to stand guard most every night and sometimes are killed by the cursed niggers I hate them worse than I did when I left home I thought that I could get asick furlough / but find it is like all the rest of soldiers priviliges played out write to me as soon as you get this tell me all about old Ed God bless him I would love to see him once more

 

            Nothing more but remain your affectionate husband until death

                                                                                                H. B. Drake

 

                                                                                    M. E. Drake

 

P. S. It is likely we will get some money tomorrow and as soon as I get well enough I am going to have my daugerrotype taken dont forget to send yours and Eddys

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