Jefferson City Mo.
	     Aug. 4th 1862
Dear Sister
	        I recd. your letter last
night. I was somewhat surprised 
to that Baker had gone in the army.
I think you must feel lonely, in a
measure , and then when I compare
my situation with yours, I think
she is so much better off than I am
that there is no chance for me to
sympathise with her.  You are there
among friends, in no danger of being 
molested or anything taken from you.
     You can lie down at night and
know you will not be disturbed
before morning.  It is different with
me.   what little property we had has
been destroyed, and it is uncertain
about ever getting anything fer it


I walk out by day, and get along well
if I am not insulted before I get home
I go to bed at night but not without some
deadly weapen by my bed.  I keep a hatchet
and two revolvers that Mr. Payn has
sent me.  I live in a house with two
very nice families , but still do not feel
safe without being armed.  The nights
have been very warm this summer and
as I have an upper room and no out
side door, I left the windows open at
night and thought I would be safe, but
one night I was awakend by some one
saying, are you asleep! I gave the
alarm of number, but when the folks
got to my room there was no one to
be found. Such is the state of society
here. were I so situated that I could
leave I would come and stay with you
this winter. I have a cow. and one
horse, and Henry, so you see it

     would be difficult for me to
leave just now. I have engaged
to teach for five months which will
bring it into February. if we are
not routed before that time. Then
if Mr. Payn don't come home and
he thinks best, if I can sell off my
things I will come and stay with
you.   I think when he returns he
will hardly settle about here. for
society and every thing else is so
deranged that it will take more
than our life time to get any thing
like living again. dont think that
I suffer. on that I am afraid. if any
body can get along I can. I have got
enough apples dried for my winters
use, and most of other provision except
groceries paid for to last me untill
my school will close and a little
money ahead. Sereno is now in

Saint Louis in the army. Frank
is still here but does not know
how soon he will have to go away
Dwights folks are all well.
Keep up good spirits and write to
Baker often, but dont write any
sorrowful letters to him. he will
have had time enough without
reading sorry letters. write to me
often as you can and let me 
know how you get along. I hope
Sol will stay with you this winter
Give my love to all the children
and folks Tell Phebe I will send
her a letter and my likeness
to morrow.
	Your Sister
		Deb Payn

[Written upside down on bottom of Scan 4]

if you please send these letters back
when you got a chance for I like to
keep my letters these times