#39
		Stevenson, Ala June 8th
				    1864.

Thursday morning 8 Oclock
		No letter from home this
week My dear it seems very lonesome here
without a word from home to hear how the
loved ones are getting along so far away I am
well and hope you are the same. when I
go without a letter I content myself by
takeing the little boys pictures out and
study them they are a great deal of comfort
when I get lonesome. I wish you to write
evey week if you dont write more than
three words I have not missed of having
a letter from home before since last winter
hope Everything is doing well kiss the children
for me and take a few for yourself. there 
is not any news here. we get the dayly
papers but there is not any news except
what you can get in the tribune long before
I can write it so I dont think it any
thing but stale for you we are at work
			      houses
building forts and Block houses all the
time it seems more like working by
the month than going to war. I
think the Rebellion will be about
played out this summer what do 
you think about it. Did you get

Johns money when you went for mine John
has not heard from his yet. John is
well only frets about his money he
sent his the same time I sent mine
I did not think to tell you to inquire
for Johns money when I wrote about
mine   I cant think of enough to fill
a sheet every week.  Joel Smith is
sick he has not been able to do any
thing since last Feb and I dont think
he will ever do any thing more unless
he gets discharged then perhaps the
Northern climate will cure him up I
am sorry to hear the Small pox is so
near you Jim Pines wife has got it
be very carefull and not get Exposed
if you can help it get vaccinated
so as to be safe as possible is
everything doing well at home apples
here is about as large as hens eggs
just getting fit to stew wheat will
do to cut next week peaches will
be ripe in about six weeks more
Well I must draw to a close by saying Good-bye.
and may the Lord bless and protect my loved ones
at home is the prayer of your every loving husband |

[Written sideways on right hand side of Scan 2]

Simeon A. Howe to his wife C E.P. Howe
			           C.

[Written sideways on left hand side of Scan 2]

P.S. bought me a watch yesterday
        paid twelve dollars for it S A H