Belinda Iowa Apr 19 1863

 

My Dear Husband

                                                            I had just got my work done this morning and was fixing myself for a lonesome day at home when I heard a wagon and on looking out I saw Doc Harden Cyrus and Ira all in soldiers coats. I knew them imediately but my first impression was that they were yours and Daves coats and the owners were on the road letting the other boys wear the coats to fool us. but alas: they proved to be nothing but coats and I fear we will not get to see the owners soon.

 

I received your letters of the 8^th and 13^th to day and when I came over to Pa's, Jim had a breast-pin for me. I think the breast-pin is beautiful but the picture is the nicest part about it I think that poem contains good and true sentiments, and I think the soldiers friends ought never to forget that all important duty of writeing. I have not written as often of late as I would liked to have done, but my excuse is that I have another claimant upon my time and affections. You said that Mother wrote to you that Olive was not a healthy child, and wanted to know what I thought about it. at times she is very fretful and I think she is not well and at other times she appears well enough. I think she has as good health as children of her age generally have, and I think when she is older she will be well. Harv is getting better but he is still very weak. Queen and French are getting along / very well I guess we will take them home pretty soon. I expect Mary is a pretty glad woman and I would be if I was in her place but I do not want to see you come home in the same fix Jim is in. I would like awful well to see you now and I would like for you to see the baby. Jim says that other men are getting furloughs. I wish you could get one. I dont know what we are going to do if Harv dont get well pretty soon, for there is nobody to hire to do any thing. I guess we will have to trust to Providence as Ira used to say. It is getting late and we will have to go home before it gets to cool. I will come to a close for this time

 

                                                                                                            Your loveing wife

 

                                                                                                                        L. A. Reed

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