th
	Maple grove January 4^ 1862
Dear Brother
i take up my pen to keep open lines to
you to inform you that we are comfortable
in health in hope they may find you
the same [B?] [illegible] was here yesterday he said
you was well when you left and he said that
he thought you would be home next week we
hope you will   we will send you a pair
of socks by A Lyon and when you come
home be sure to bring your old ones and
we will try to have another new pair
for you and a pair of mittins be sure
and pick up all your things when you 
come home I thinck that George will make
up his mind enlist I felt sorry to learn
that your letter was opened and the postage
stamps and money was taken out you
must have some rogues among you I
want you to pick up something in Detroit
to bring home to me [two words illegible] and
come home we shall look for you any way
I had a letter from [ben?] the other day
he sent a Harpers Weekly to me and a
Frank Leslies to you which contains
a great many pictures of the expedition
no more at present from your sister
untill Death [illegible] Mattoon
		To G W Mattoon