Pleasant Hill May 14^th 1864

 

Dear John.

            We long to hear from you Please write on receipt of this.

 

I suppose you heard of the dreadful Battle on Red River, and that Pr M^cFarland of the 56 Ohio was missing Since that report we have a letter from his wife stating that Parker was Captured by the rebels while he was attending to the wounded, that he was well & still waiting on the wounded Soldiers.

 

It is three weeks since we heard from Wm, he was then at Bowlingreen Kentucky—was well.

 

Thomas & Robert are yet at home busy on their farms, but we do not know how long they will be alow’d to stay at Home / Robert is Captain of our Home Guard & subject to a moments notice great excitement here owing to the dreadful fighting the past week on the Potomack.

 

The past week has been unfavourable for planting—very wet—the wheat crops look bad, oats in the ground is doing well. A good prospect for Apls.

 

work hands cannot be obtained, so many have been called to the Army. I seen Wm Darling in Wheeling yesterday. his family were all well. they had not heard from M^rs Doble since she started for California

 

We are glad to hear that Edgar can hold the plow, & that you were all doeing well /

 

Enclosed you will find a Potograph I dont look like what I was 20 years ago. Well. Age brings on Infermities,—this is not our abiding place—our Home is in Heaven. O! may we all be prepar’d to meet in that happy place. I believe there is a divine Superintending providence, and all things shall work together for good if we love & serve God—the way of duty is the only way of Safety.

 

We Hope this terible war will soon terminate, for which let us hope & pray.

 

                                                            My Love to all.

                                                                        Wm M^cFarland

 

PS my sight fails fast.

                                    WMF

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