Apr 5 1863

 

            My Dear Husband

                                                            It is sunday night and Mary and I have taken the opportunity while the little chaps are sleeping, to write to our respective and respectable husbands. Mary says, it goes nice to have an old man to write to, but I think it nicer to write to a young man, (I do not mean a single man) and nicest to have a man to talk to, if I could have the right one. I am as well as ever and expect to go home day after tomorrow. I did not get a letter from you last week. I expect to get one tomorrow. Pa was at Chariton yesterday and saw Mussleman. he said that the 34^th had gone down the river to Memphis Old Mr Hardens folks were all down here today they are all well. Pa started to Berrys to get apple trees this morning. I would have sent for some but Harv said he could not get a place fixed to set them out. There was an extract from a soldiers letter came out in the Patriot and above it was remarked that the letter was full of good sense This was highly gratifying to some individuals but I fear not so much so to some who have circulated reports about letters written by the same soldier heretofore. Apr 6^th Since writeing the above the mail has come and I did not get a letter. I am very anxious to hear from you now for I do not know whether you have gone down the river or not. I do not know whether Harv will come after me to go home tomorrow or not. Bell was over here this morning and she said that Harv was at their house sick with the / mumps. Tommy Crowley is very low with the same disease. he was not expected to live a day or two ago but he is some better now. Jim Molesworth wants some money on that note. We have but $15.00 and I dont think that we can spare any now. I wish you could be at home awhile now, long enough to superintend the spring work any how. I dont know what to do about having a well dug I expect it will be hard to get any body to do work of any kind next summer. I got a letter from Liz last week. they were all well Jim Molesworth is going to teach school at the south school-house this summer Pa and Cyrus put in 15 acres of wheat. Harv said he would not put in any for if it was a good wheat year flour would be cheap and if it was not it wouldent pay to raise any. I have tried about a dozen of pens since I commenced writeing and I have splendid ink when I dip deep enough to get it. I promised to have the babys picture taken and send to you, but she is so poor that I want to wait until I can get her fattened up a bit. It is getting late and I will bring my letter to a close

 

                                                                                    Your loving wife

                                                                                                                        L. A. Reed

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