1863

                                                                                                Memphis Tennesee Feb 2^nd

 

Dear Miriam

                        I received aletter from you on the thirtyeth of January that was written the 2^nd of January in that letter you told me you had concluded to go to school teaching and wanted to know my opinion about it I think that is verry well much better than hiring out. I would say not do anything of the kind if the government was to pay up the soldiers promptly but as it does not I am satisfied Tom said that Ma wanted to know what I thought about getting Wills Plant to take the farm back I dont think there is any necessity for it and dont think that I shall agree to anything of the kind I bought that place with the intention of making that my home and if I live to get back I shall do so I shall sell forty acres of that timber there by Adams mill if I can and turn that in towards paying / for the farm and you wanted to know what I thought about selling jinny for fifty dollars I think that is twenty five dollars less than her worth and am not willing that she should be sold for less than seventy five dollars if I should get home in this year I should want ateam to go to work with. Jo Goodson got here afew days ago he come down with Capt Harris’s and Nath Elligoods wives they are going to stay awhile I do not know how long George Lawson is here and is going to start out this evening he is discharged and Mr Tapp of bond County are all going up the river I shall send this letter by one of them I am glad to hear that our old succor state has come out all right about the niggers I am opposed to them settling in the free states The weather has been rather cool and windy for afew days The river is rising verry fast and has been for sometime we have had rather apleasant winter if there had not been so much rain I / would rather have more cold weather and less rain We will have to move again tomorrow as it will not be work enough unless we are to move there is no earthly use in us moving this time as we will not move more than ahundred yards and the situation we now have is a verry good one. I do not know what to write as there is so little that passes that is worthy of attention I have been appointed second sergeant until Rolla Stallard gets well I think I will get it without adoubt for good as Stallard will not be able for duty any more and will most likely be discharged who knows but that I will be fortunate enough to climb up to be second Lieutenant in time that is the only place in the service that I care much about I want something that pays It is reported that we will be paid off by the 12^th of this month if I am you may look for some money. I guess that old man Balch will come down here in aweek or two and if there is any thing that you want to send me that would be afavorable opportunity he will come down to / try to get Saml and William off on leave of absence I think that they will get off they ought to be discharged Sam has lost the use of his left eye I do not think that he will ever see out of that eye any more I am better satisfied than I have been since I have been in the army we have plenty of meat bread Beans & peas to eat and no verry serious duty to perform nothing only guard duty I believe that the health is improving here I must quit tell all about Eddy and kiss him for me I will have to answer Ewels Tapleys and Marys letters this evening and want to send them by hand as they will come quicker Tell Ewel I would have answered his before this time but the sutler was out of paper and I could not get any

 

            Nothing more but remains your

            affectionate husband until death

            Write soon      H. B. Drake

                                    M. E. Drake

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