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                                Abbevlle Oct. [2d?] 1864

My Beloved wife
                                I received your last letter yes-
terday evening, and enjoyed it very much; almost as much
as the one in which you gave an account of our boy'
"feeding self". Even now, whenever, I think of his smartness,
I am compelled to laugh. A few evenings ago, I was pay-
ing a visit to a friend, and the recollection of "feeding self"
came over me, and I very [audibly? readily?] laughed aloud, consequently
had to explain, as there was a decided pause in conversation.
Our boy must be quite a bright little fellow. But you must
not attempt to [force?] the development of his mind at this
early day.  Nature or instinct is his best teacher. I don't
want him to have all of his [?] when a baby. I
am afraid to tell any one that he knows his letters, for
fear that they [might?] think that I am not telling the truth.
I am like yourself, in feeling much depressed about the
present conditions of our bleeding, down trodden and dearly
oppressed country. At times I am almost ready to give
up in despair. (only momentary). I believe, and [will?] [?]
believe, until proved to the contrary, that if we persevere,
that God will [crown?] us with victory. Our cause is a
righteous cause, and God has promised that he will
never forsake the righteous. We must learn to trust
more in all over ruling Providence, and less in our puny
strength. Had we all the simple, [?] faith of a Jackson
the end I believe would have been long ago.
    I do wish from the bottom of my heart, that I could
make arrangements for you to come to me- it would
be so delightful. But there are so many obstacles in
the way. The difficulty of obtaining board, (or I might have
said the impossibility) expenses which would have to be in-
curred in travelling, besides the annoyance and [rudeness?] which

you would have to encounter, and the uncertainty of my
remaining in my present position. All of these reasons
taken together, deter me from encouraging you in this
idea of our being together this winter. I have had no
intimation, nor have I any reason to suppose, that I
will be ordered from this place, except, the general
one, that the Surg Genl does not allow, except to favorites;
the priviledge of remaining in one place, any length of time.
I agree with you in thinking it best to hire Toby out, but
the difficulty will be in finding a suitable place for him.
It will not do to send him down to Richmond, for there he
will lead a wandering, idle life. I dare say that it would
be best to hire him to a farmer. I would prefer his being
about the house, but I suppose, that can not be thought of, as
a farmer who would be likely to hire, would not stand in need
of a [declining? worn?] servant. You had better get some one
to attend to this matter for you. How will you get on without
a boy? I am having two sheets made up of very rough cot-
ton, with calico bosoms. You must not conclude from this,
that I am [exactly?] [destitute?], for I can make quite a re-
spectable [show?] [?] other white sheets I now have. As winter is
approaching, I can get on very comfortable with the calico
sheets you gave me, the [washed?] one Helen made me, and
the two I am having made, besides the white ones, which
I will reserve for extra occasions. I was jesting when
I wrote you that pathetic appeal in behalf of new sheets,
but I am never the less, very thankful to you for the
"pleasure" it gives you to make them, to say nothing,
about being greatful for the new sheets. Tell Helen that
I have been wearing the hat she fixed up for me [?]
since last may. Now it is literally wearing out. I darned
three holes in it, several days ago. Kiss the boy for me. Would
it not be better for you to engage a few gallons of molasses? Re-
member me kindly to [Mr? Ms?] Carrington's family. Your devoted Husband