Coomer Aug 24th 1862

     Dear Agness
		 I recieved your letter some time
since. and ought to have answered long before this
I hope you willl pardon me. for the [apparent?] neglect
I have been very busy this summer. we have [illegible]
in the family nearly all of the time. Seven cows etc
Ma is getting old. So as a matter of course most of
it: falls upon me. Our folks have gone to church
excepting Ben. he has gone riding. I expect to have
a sister before long. I shall have to hurry. or else
dance in the "pigs trough" Oh: well. all the sound
fellow's have gone to war, And I assume I would
not have one. that had not got courage enough to
fight for his country. Yesterday 1100 soldiers left
Lockport; for Elmira en route for Washington It
was a solemn sight. Poor fellows. little do they know what
hardships & privation they will have to endure. All. or
nearly all of the boys in Coomer. are going. how lonely
it will be. The Regt that went from this [senatorial?] district
at the first call. The gallant 28th is all cut up

They can only muster 150 sound men. Officer
all killed. wounded or prisoner but four. Pa
youngest brother was wounded five times, & lay on
the battle field. over 24 hours. The doctor think his [limb?]
will have to be amputated, they dare not do it; as yet.
How he must suffer.
   Aunt Betsy is well. she lives alone. as easy
as can be. They talk of  building us an addition
next spring. I saw Minerva yesterday. She
is very well. her health is good. She is still to
Mr Curtis. [Cassie?] is to Mr Stratton. she is well
for her. May is well. and doing very well. for
these hard times.
I have had two dresses. this summer. My
Calico. was 18ct. The other I made with a
flounce on the bottom of the skirt; & trimmed
the flounce top & bottom. that is all I have
had this summer. we have not picked
our wool yet. dont know when, we will.
we have a carput. for the parlor. have not got
that made. we dont do. [scarcly?] anything but
house work. and I am perfectly sick of it:
I love to sew dearly.

    You said you were at home. this summer. Are
you going to School this winter. How I would like to
go, but do not expect to. I dont know whether Ben
will go to Lockport to school. this winter. or here.
Pa's health is so poor. he thinks he ought not to leave
Pa is going east in a few weeks. visiting. where he
lived when a boy. Have you heard from Uncle [Lem's?]
people. recently. has Augustus gone to war. Is Charlie
at home, he is a young man. I presume. Tell him
to write. Ben often speaks of writing to him. but
neglects it: he [illegible] wish soon.
Are you going to build a house. this fall. how
large. one you going to have.
Fruit is plenty here of all kinds. Crops. are
much better. than people anticipated, in the
Spring. They were about discouraged. at one time
it. was so dry. Harvest apples are so plenty's they
will not sell. we have had some very nice ones.
Thedore [illegible] , is [illegible] and. his mother is well.
Mr [Barbs?] works most of the time. It is healthy
here in our vicinity: It is getting hot. I shall
be obliged to close. Excuse mistake. & [illegible]. write
soon. My love to all, [except?] a share yourself
			I remain your [illegible]