#29



   Bridgeport Ala. April 9th /'64.
My dear wife I got your letter. to day is Wednesday
I got your letter last Saturday but have not felt hardly
able to answer sooner  I got the currants and the
letter with six stamps at the same time but did not
get any paper  I think it is not worth the while
for you to waste postage stamps to send any 
papers to me. I can get all the news in the
papers here as we can get a paper here every
morning if we want I have not been cooking
for about three weeks as I have not been able
I had the bloody flux for about one week and
then checked it and was then taken with a very
severe cough but the doctor stoped that in one day
and then I got better right off but was taken again
last Saturday with a little affection of the lungs
		      better
but I am a good deal ^ this morning so I think
I shall be well again in a few days. Well I think
I have drawn rather a dolefull picture for you
to read. I cant think of nothing to write there
is no news that is worth writing I guess to
learn that fanning mill man to do as he agrees
next time you had not better pay him any thing
any way but tell him to take his mill back
you dont want it. I generally get your
letters in eight days or nine at the farthest

		Apr. 4, 1864.



Please send me a copy of that enlisting
paper that was signed by Captain Duryea the
small pox is finally completely stoped here. there
has not been a case in this place for a month
there is no scabs to be got here now nor no inf-
ection matter so I cannot get vaccinated at present
but dont think there is any danger for the present
dont borrow any trouble about me for I
think I shall be all right in a few days I
presume before this reaches you doll will
have a colt if she does well I feel afraid she wont
do well but perhaps she will I want you to
                                                    and
get somebody to take both mares ^ have them
both put again this summer it rather a
delicate job for a woman perhaps some one
will go by with a good horse if so have
him stop and attend to the business himself
May God bless and protect you all Pray for
me always. kiss the sweet little boys for me 
tell Ardn that I will come back as soon as I
can tell babe the rogue that he must kiss ma
for pa and wait till pa comes back I send you
a breast pin in this but you will have to
get a pin put in at the jewelers have silver
eyes for the pin when you want to polish rub
on leather Goodbye from your husband S A. Howe