[1865]

	Davison may 13th 1856

   Dr Son yours of the 24 of April
came to hand last week. and
was received by us all with a hearty
welcome, for as long as you are
both well every thing else is
right, we are all well and every
thing goes on comfortably. for John
works like a beaver and as things
were So far aback we hired a
young man to help us, John wrote
to one of you last week and he no
doubt told you that his wife had
presented him with a Son about
a month ago, both mother & child
are
^ doing well, Delia is up and about
the house, her Sister marjory was
home untill last Sunday and now
we got one of Hariet [Austin's?] girls
She goes to School and helps in
the house mornings & evenings
She Seems to be pretty handy &
is about 12 years of age

that is about all our domestic
news, we had a litter from George
a bout a week ago he was then [crossed out word] 
well, I do not recolect if
I have mentioned in my last
litter that James had enlisted
it is Some where about Six
weeks ago, he told me nothing
about it and I did not know
any thing, of it untill after he was
away and he has never Sent me
any word Since but I understand
that they are Still at Jackson and
I heard a report that he was
Sick, his cousin Allan or Elder
as they call him inlisted when he
did they are I think in the [29?] Michigan
but I am not very Sure -----------
The weather is quite cool here as
yet and things grow but Slowly. we
are not ploughing for corn So aS
to be ready when the weather Serves
there is a good Show of Aplebloso
-ms if late frosts does not injure

them, the cherries too Shows well
but there will be no peaches around
here ---------I congratulate you
most Sincerely on your pomotion
not So much for the difference in
your pay as for the prooff that it
affords of your Good conduct as a
true Soldier while in the ranks
for a private Soldier never will be
promoted but though his own
[meroits?] and what if it does cost
     the rest of
your ^ your veteran bounty do not
let it give you one thought of regret
     The probability is that the war
will be closed and the most of 
the men mustered out of the Ser-
-vice before winter and we shall
then once more meet all in pease
and I think my Self most fortunan
-te if I am permited to receive
you all Safe back especialy you
two that have gone through
So much hardship -----------------

I have had a letter from
[illegible] to day dated the 8 of
april and likewise a pocket me-
-morandum book which I
[illegible] haply and will keep
[carefuly?] and I think that I
will frame your confederate
Bond that you Sent home it
would make quite a picture
I will write to Alexander next
week and let you know how
we are all geting along
I can think of nothing else
at present So commanding
you to the name of Heaven. &
the protection of Devine providence
I remain Dr Son
	most Sincerely yours

		John Campbell