March 18^th 1864

 

Dearest Husband

                                    I received your letter of the 3^rd on wednesday and was glad to hear from you and that you were well for I began to think that something had happened you for I saw from the papers that the 6^th corps was ordered out to support the cavelry. I think you must of been very tired, my dear you have my sympathy at all times and under all circumstances for my thoughts are continually with you. another gloomy day it is raining to day the roads are dreadful mudy some places almost impassable, they say I have not been out Jno. is going to Pittsburgh to morrow if he can get a 3^rd horse for he says that it is no use to start with two for the last time he went when he got / back as far as Clinton he left his wagon and did not get it home for more than a week and then had to have three horses. Jno.  runs the wagon now himself, and he gets discouraged these bad roads I am sending in with him this time for a calico dress and a pair of shoes I am still wearing the shoes that Knox made me. I also sent my bonnet to Burgettstown to get dressed my clothes have got so shabey that I am compeled to get some I have got nothing for my self since you went away (that is clothing) but a cotton dress an apron and one pair stockings I have tried to be as saven as possible for every thing is so dear M^r Nicholson called the other day and gave me $3.50 he was up at Beaver and was at the commissioners office and attended to that matter he says I / can get it regular now it is not very much but still you know every little helps it come very good at this time. Steve gave me five dollars too that I gave to Jno. to buy my dress and shoes. I got a pair of shoes for Birdie at last Tom Knox made them he charged me 90 cts for them they help her ankles a good deal but he did not make them quite stiff enough but I think after she wears them awhile I can fix them I sent with Jno. one day when he was going to Burgettstown and got a bottle of Mrs Winslows toothing syrup and gave it to Ella thought I would try it and it seemed to do her more good than any thing I had given her. she rested better at night. I thought it done her so much good I sent with the mail man to Washington and got two bottles and / a cake of white castell soap for to wash her hair & I paid him 80 cts the bottles ar 25 cts a peace it does not take long to spend money I am going to send with Jno. and get a little Brandy to bath her ankles in and see if that wont strenthen them some I try to do all I can to keep her comfortable. she has got a little cold again the weather is so changeable that nearly every body has a cold whenever she gets a cold she has a cough you ought to hear her call Eddie yesterday evening she called him so much that I had to take her over to see him. he comes over every day and stays with her she can say Ella May quite distinct so much so that any one knows what she says she will talk very plain if she is spared. her birth day will be tuesday how time flies you will soon be gone eight months only a small portion of your time gone /

 

[front margin, upside down]

I will write to Lis soon I should have done it before this but neglected it I always think I have not got time to write to any but you I have got a bad cold but will get over it in a few days /

 

Steve said to ask you if you would sell your saw and what you wold take for it he wants to buy one I greased yours and hung it up stairs but it has a few spots on it I expect that they will not hurt it much he having let Jno. tools and stuff. Tommie Sims left camp Copeland but we have not heard from him since when he left he did not know where he was going perhaps you might happen to see him he is in the 4^th Pa Cavelry Co B. Sam is still at home he would you like to get back to the regiment. Hen Cowans are going to move next week they said they would come up before they would move but I do not expect they will Harriett is so queer I do not understand her they talked of going out to Bill Ewing some day too but they will not have time if they go next week /

 

Birdie is sitting on the floor playing she has a boil on her head and I have a poultice of bread and milk on it it has been comeing for nearly two weeks it is on the right side and hurts her to lay on it tis a blood boil I think they are the worst kind if she is spared she will be a real mischeif but she has a good deal of temper. Aleck Vance is at home they had all of the young people in for tea on Thursday evening. tea parties are becomeing very fashionable among the young people.             

                               

        Monday

Birdie boil broke last night and she feels better to day. I have been washing to day and I am very tired and nervous Mother is here Birdie is singing by by Foster was just in wanting to by that little bit of turpentine that was in a bottle Jeff bought him a sewing machine before he went away paid 75 dollars for it and he wanted the turpentine to clean it but I did not give it to him for it is hard to get and I might need May Gods blessing rest on and may you soon return to us from your loveing Kate

 

[upside down margin note about postage stamps, mostly torn away]

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