Mattoon Letter : January 15, 1863

B.W. (who seems to be a cousin of Agnes) writes mostly about the muddy road conditions that have made travel difficult and have prevented them from taking sleigh rides. Rosaltha discusses the outbreak of diptheria among children over the winter, which caused some deaths. She mentions that she recieved a Balmoral (petticoat?), an apron, and a bedspread for Christmas and New Years and Charlie (presumably her brother) received a sled.