No 6

Belinda Iowa Oct. 19^th 1862

 

            My Dear Husband

                                                I suppose you have heard that Pa Cyrus and Coony have got home. Cyrus wrote wrote to you yesterday and you will get it before you get this. Going to the mountains did not cure Coony of the war fever. he is very anxious to get into your company if there is any chance. I have not heard Cyrus say anything about the war and do not know whether he has any notion of going or not. We are all well and I suppose all of the boy's folks are well. Mrs. Fletcher intended to start to Ill. yesterday and I have not heard whether she started or not we will get done makeing molasses about the middle of this week we will have over four barrels all together and you know we get one half. We got a new barrel and filled it with very thick molasses to use next summer and we have the old barrel about half full. I am glad that we are so near done for it has been a hard job for all of us. I have had to tend the furnace all the time and fireing with big wood is very hard work, harder than I felt able to do sometimes, but there was no other way but for me to do it and all the rest have / to do just as hard work as that. Harvey turned the calves out about two weeks ago and they have not been up for two or three days. he and Coony have gone today to hunt them. I will not write any more until after the mail comes tomorrow for I know I will get a letter from you. Monday Oct 20^th I received a letter and a war map from you this morning. We heard that you had got your pay and had sent it to Mr Harden. before I got your letter Mary was looking for the old man to come down today but he did not come. Prehaps we will not get the money until we go up. but we will go as soon as we can. Cyrus and Mary are talking about going Jefferson county. if they go they will go pretty soon before it begins to get cold. Harvey and Coony found the calves without much trouble. I expect it would be best for us to buy some more before long.

 

I have got an order for $7.50 for your services as secratary. Webb said he would get one for your services as clerk in about a week. I believe I have forgotten what you told me to do with them, but you can write about it sometime. We have not got the money on that school order yet but Wilson has got home and I guess we can get it any time. No more at this time from your

 

                                                                                    effectionate wife

                                                                                                            L. A. Reed

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