Baltimore, Md.
Lafayette Barracks November 16th 1862
Dear Wife
Your letter came last Thursday and I was happy to hear from you. We are now stationed where we were when I wrote last and the location is a very healthy one.—much more so than Fort Federal Hill. There have been several deaths in the 129th Regt but none in ours since I came here. Our camp is on a gentle elevation northwest of the centre of the city The soil is a yellow sand and when it rains we have very little mud and that but a short time.
The news comes to us to night that Rebel Gen Jackson is within forty miles of us and on the forward march. We dont fear anything from him. He is too /
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...and that he would like to have someone else attend to it. You wrote that Mr Delano had sent twenty five dollars to Michigan. Well he wrote to me last week and said nothing about it. You had better either have Mr Stilson take charge of my business or do it all yourself if Mr Delano cannot see to it. If you think best you may send twenty five dollars more to Michigan. I shall not receive any more money from the government very soon I think. If Chancey Fellows will not husk my corn get some one else to do it. You did not tell the reason why he did not finish husking my corn It seems that the men men around there are not so patriotic as when I came away. Then they were very willing to see that my business went along well if my courage was strong enough for me to enlist. Now that I am gone they care very little for my affairs /
You wrote that Mr Delano had bought some lumber to fix my house. Write to me whether he has done it or not. You also write that your health was not good. please write what it is that ails you and how long you have been sick. Kiss Philena and Laura for me and tell them I will try to come home to you and them some time. I hope we shall whip the rebels out in less than six months. If we do I shall be home in time to husk my corn next year. Write to me as often as you can whether I write or not and when you get any pictures or papers just let me know. I have sent four pictures and three or four papers to you. Enclosed you will find a song that I send to Polly. Tell her when she gets this learned I will send another. I send you three confederate Bank Notes one for you and each of the children.
Give my respects to all inquiring friends and accept this from Your
Affectionate Husband
Pricilla Lavier Zephram Lavier