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                    Clarksville Jan 24th 1864
                        Sunday morning
    Your letter of the 15th was not of such
a character, my beloved Husband,  as to banish all
hope of seeing you shortly – hence each day found
me watching for you as those who watch for the morning.
I could not help it – and Friday last was the day I fixed
upon when I knew you must come, that there was no
help for it.  But you did not --  You knew what my
disappointment must have been.  Yesterday was my
last day of hoping,  for your letter of the 17th was received
telling (it: crossed out)  of your dutied and engagements, but still
holding out the prospect of seeing you late in Feb:
Helen takes (thought: crossed out) comfort in the thought that had
you come at the time first appointed your visit would
be over in Feb: that we would then,  had you come,
be grieving over your departure, as it is the pleasure
is still before us – It is pleasant to think you are
coming but oh: so tantalyzing to be constantly waiting
watching – I have indeed experienced enough
of that “hope deferred that maketh the heart sick.”?
At night I have dreamed that you had come, once
that you were about to kiss me, another time so
[page 2]
delighted with the baby that you had hardly a look
for anyone else,  again that I had thrown both
arms around your neck.  So you (^ see) both waking
and sleeping your wife has been the prey of fond
foolish fancies.  Mama & Helen have both dreamed
of your coming,  (oh: crossed out) our thoughts  have all been yours
since the first day we looked for you.  You say in
the letter I got last night, that the last one you received
from me had given you more pleasure than any
I had written since we parted, and that you had
been looking for more of the same sent.  I have no
idea to what letter you refer, and if you want others
like it, you must give me some hint of its character.
I think I am more grieved that you should not
see our boy just now than by anything else.  He is
perfectly well, and lovely beyond anything eyes
ever saw – For the last few days he has been trying
himself – full of life and spirits, funny little
tricks, lovely little affectionate ways.  We have
taught him to clap his hands when he hears
“Father’s coming. Ain’t your eyes filling up? You
must not expect to find him as pretty as he was when
you left him, but I defy you to produce a more
interesting baby. He is perfectly devoted to
Helen & she loves him only second to myself.
Helen has improved since I last wrote to you.
Dr Camm came to see her, and advised a
tonic, [?] of [?], which she is taking with
[?]. I had begged her to take it before. Her
appetite is excellent and I think you need not feel
uneasy about her. Tom left me ten days ago &
[?] will leave on next Thursday. The latter has
gotten quite well. I could not get him in at
Mr Powell’s and can at Mr [Bangham’s?]. The
same state of affairs that made you leave N. Carolina
exists in some measure here. The substitute men
are drawing back, keeping out of the army as long as
possible. I understand Mr Tucker [?] is
deeply mortified that some near and dear to him
should be among that number. My only hope
for our Country is in our noble Army, for there
is nothing in the people left behind to build
hope upon. And yet there is much kindness
extended to refugees. Mrs [?] from across
the river came to see us the other day – and gave me
the most pressing invitation to visit her, promising

[page 3]
to send her carriage for me etc. After her
return home she sent me a bucket of honey,
another small one packed very tight with lard,
and some immense sweet potatoes for the baby.
I had tried to buy lard from her Father and he had
none to spare, but she said I should have some –
[?] her [?]. Dr George [?] has been as
good as his word about the corn. Poor fellow he has
to go into the army. Indeed he went down to Richmond
and he was immediately sent out to Camp Lee, and
not [suffered?] to return home. His wife is to be [confined?].
He is a great sufferer from Rheumatism and won’t
be able to stand the service long. Dr [Leigh?] in riding
through the streets of Charlottesville [?] thrown from his
house and had his arm broken above the elbow. He is
expected home on a two months leave in a few days.
Georgia spent last night with us. She says she wishes
you were a relation of her’s.  We had services in our
church to-day. Mr [Meade?] preaching. Next Sunday
Mr [Cosby?] will be here and the Holy Communion
administered. I wish you could be with us. We have
a struggling Sunday [?] and Helen and myself
are trying to teach some of our Presbyterian friends
our Chants & Hymn Tunes. Not in this [?]. Do
tell me what is to be done with [?] & Andrew. They
have not been [hired?] out. Mr [Moss?] is objecting to a very small
increase in their [fines?]. He has never furnished their meals
on Sunday and but rarely in sickness, and [?] [?] the
[?] [?] [?] hire nearly all the time. Kind Xmas
I have [endeavored?] to give them employment, and they
are useful, [?] gives five months to fill instead
of three, everything is high, and not only so but
very hard to procure at all. They are eating up the supply
of vegetables and when they are gone I can’t tell where
more are to come from. I am sorry to trouble you but
really think something ought to be done with

[page 1, sideways]
at once. It seems to me the Factory is a bad place – and I wish very much
they could be gotten into some private family, and kept off of this lot at night.
I had found
so many planes
of usefulness for
you during your
visit, such as
gardening etc.
Can’t you bring
some seed
with you?
The chickens
& pigs have
overturned
all my plans
for the early
Spring.
Do write
soon & often
to your
devoted
Wife
I wish you could see Charleys rosy cheeks

[page 2, sideways]
On Toby’s account I am sorry you could
not get here. I have been unable to get
clothes for him and he is as ragged as a buzzard – and I knew you had
old pants you could let him have.