Alexandria Va Oct 5^th 1864

 

My Dear Wife

                        It is 10.45 A M and I have just been to Julius room with your letter to him stating the death of Luther’s wife. Julius is better today but still has some fever, and some cough. He rested very well through the night and took no medicine. He had taken a good deal by the Dr^s direction for the preceeding 24 hours, and he told me last night to leave off the medicine and let nature do its work for a time. He has set up about an hour this morning to have his bed made, and is quite comfortable today. I think he has not got to have run of the fever for a long time, not severe. I fear more anxious about his cough than his fever. I shall write you each day just how he is, and I hope I can soon say that he is well again./

 

…for northern [?] here, and it requires good care of a well man to keep so. Of all the points in the military R Roads this is the most healthy, and neither Jules nor I have official duties which expose us to the changes of weather as many others are exposed, so that we may hope to keep from much sickness. Still no one either here or at home can count of  exemption from the ills incident to human life. I have no doubt you sometimes feel great anxieties about us both, but you would feel them far more if we were to be as many others are in this cussed war. I pity from the bottom of my heart the drafted men

            While writing the above the Dr called at the office to go and see Julius. We have just come from his room. He says he will have a slight run of fever before he gets out, but there is no indication of its being long or severe. His cough he says he thinks is only a slight temporary [?], and that/[?]. I think I shall be able to write you tomorrow that he is still better. I will see that he wants for no care or attention.

 

            Bert has not yet got back from Washington. I think he will be here today. I hope he will get a situation then, for idleness makes him very unhappy.

 

            You are I see having the same rainy time we are. I know it will put the boys back with their work. If any beans get injured, I would not mix them with those which are not. Still I cannot give any assistance by direction to the boys or to the work. I feel satisfied to trust everything to them.

 

            I hope this letter will find you all well and happy at home. You shall have a letter from me every day.

 

            With much love to you all, I am

                                                Very affectionately

                                                                        J. Hayden

 

[overleaf]        Noon

                                    I have just been to Julius room before writing this letter. He is still as comfortable as in the morning. I have read the letter to him so that he might see just what the Dr thought of his con. He is cheerful but dislikes the idea of being confined for a few days, as he was hoping to be out by today or tomorrow. I thought it better that he should know that he must not think of getting out so soon, and then he would be more content to keep quiet & be careful.

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