#42	



		Sunday June 26th, 64 Stevenson, Ala.
Dear wife got a letter from you yesterday and hasten
to answer it I get five dollars per month Extra for
cooking dont keep much money with me had only fifteen
cents yesterday morning but sold some rations and got
$2.00 before night if you would think you would know
that I could not have much money with me I have to
spend some money sometime of some little delicacies
which takes about all I get for cooking I have sent
home since I started from home $75.00 from Detroit
$3000 by letter from Bridgeport $16500 by express
from Tullahoma which makes in all $270.00
besides $5.00 which I sent June 15th which I
have not got any answer from yet. Well my wages
and bounty amount to 258.80 up to the time
I got my pay So you see I have saved out of
my cooking $11.20 more money than I have spent
for myself well I paid $4.50 for one pair of boots
$3.00 for a hat and fifty cents for a shirt So you
see I have not been very extravagant. I thank
you for the little wreath of flowers and I shall
keep them as long as I can I assure you in
remembrance of home but did not know as there
was anything to make a peace offering for
as there was no quarrel between us but
it is all right now if taint we will make


it right in the morning you think I have
more time to write while cooking than if
I was doing any other work well you are
much mistaken to cook for forty men and
that by a fire out by the side of a log is
not very easy work for two of us and
bake warm biscuit every meal at that with
nothing to bake in but one bake kettle that
will hold only seventeen biscuit at a time and
it takes about 250 biscuit for each day
well the work is not so hard but it is
				            (b)
very steady and confining I do not dout
your stewardship in the least if I had
not thought my wife capable of doing
her own business I should not put it in
her hands to do. I expect to be paid again
about the first of July but we may not get
paid untill the first of Sept. I always
                                            Spot
thought home the sweetest place on earth
and also thought my wife and little ones
the dearest of all. Else why should I be
willing to offer my life and deprive myself
of the blessings of home where I can neither
have the company of yourself nor hear the
innocent prattle of the little boys to help
preserve the best government on this earth

			June 26, 1864



what would our home be without a free government
to protect it. I want to come home very much and
see you again. , it cost me as many lonesome
hours and as many bitter pangs of grief to part
with you I think as it costs you to do with-
out me at home but I am willing to sacrifice
all to the cause of Freedom I would rather be
compelled to stay six years yet than to have
this war settled by any compromise with
traitors I think I could be content at home
if the country was not in danger of its very
			          at
existence. but could not stay ^ home and
enjoy life while the cause of freedom called
me to her protection I could never sit idle
and let this sweet country be destroyed by
traitors. no God forbid there has not
been a week passed but I have written to
you my letters must hav been miscarried
my letters are sometimes short because I
could not get time to write it is not for
lack of affection I think you ought to
already know I will do better hereafter
my sheet is almost full. I am well but
must say good bye Kiss the children for
me and take a share yourself from your
loving and affectionate husband Simeon A Howe to

his wife C E P H.

P.S. dont think I shall marry any body
very soon for any length of time S A H.