#30



	Bridgeport Ala. April 11th, 1864
Dearest wife it is with pleasure that I sit
down once more to pen a few words to you I got
another letter from you last Saturday came in 8 
days I was very sorry to hear you was so sick
it seems that everything goes against us we have
to earn and more than earn all we get I
think Danly has no right to with hold
that fund from you but he can make you
more trouble to get it than it is worth
the Captain has come and he says he has
fixed up my papers in Detroit Says
it was a mistake in the Books but not
on the papers I dont think it will make
any difference about getting the big bounty
it seems they will not pay it to any one
that enlisted before the fifth of Nov so the
mistake in the time of my enlistment
would make no difference on that head
but will lengthen my term of service one
month if by the mistake it would give
me the big bounty I would not care. I
drew you rather a doleful picture in
my last about my health but you
would have me tell promise to tell you
all I think a bad promise better

broke [illegible in original] than kept so I ask you to
release me from mine. my dear I dont
think you ought to borrow trouble about
my getting into intemperate habits first
there is no opportunity here those soldiers
that are prone to bad habits cannot get
anything to drink besides such evil
associations never had any charme for
me the love of my wife and little ones at
home is my talisman through all temp-
tations if I ever have any of that sort
and as to getting weand from the affections
of home it would take more than a
		c
life time of abs^ence because every day it
grows stronger and stronger no sooner than
lose one iota of the love I bear my wife
and little ones I would suffer myself to 
be shot by my comrads in arms.
you say in your last that you was sorry
I had taken another wife. I do not under-
stand I think you must have read it rong
please explain in your next. I got the
curls of the little boys in the last letter
and was much pleased to get them.
my health is improving very fast I
am almost able to go to work again

			April. 11, 1864.


I have to hire my washing done since I have
been sick I talk some of going off to cook
for a squad of our men that is off building
some block houses near Elk River if I go
I shall start day after to-morrow. then I
shall not be able to get your letters quite
so regular. you have not told me yet who
you let the farm to. be careful and dont
dont let old Cressinger cheat in dividing
the lambs after shearing and be careful
and dont get your place over stocked with
sheep by taking too many get good nice
ones all healthy when you get them
      ?
Creasinger is a sharpie you know. Well 
now I will tell you something about things
around here the trees are putting forth their
leaves and f little flowers are springing up
in all places just as if they was not
trodden by the iron heel of war the boys
are all most all gone out on detail building
block houses on the Chatanooga and Nash-
ville railroad I have not seen John nor
heard from him for the last three weeks
but suppose he is well as ever tell Baby
to [sing?] away down with the traitors and
up with the stars tell Arden pa got

            and
his curl ^ was glad to kiss even the curls
from such a dear little head pa hopes
his ears will get well so they wont ache
any more. I hope that steer will get well
but if he dies let him go it is not half
so bad as to lose our only cow or to lose
that mare we lost I suppose we must
suffer losses to let us know that blessings
all come from God I feel thankfull it is
not any worse. my prayers shall ever be
offered up for my wife and little ones at
home. kiss the babies for me. S A Howe to
his ever loved wife C E P Howe