Stevenson, Ala.
			              Aug 16th, 1864		                   
                     wife
Dear [illegible in original] will try to make amends to-
day for being in such a hurry in writing
my last I am well and hope you are
the same we are still at Stevenson and
like
are to be for a while we have got this
place well fortified I told you I left
				      have
32 bushel of wheat in the barn I had
forgot but I think that it was 42 bu.
when we cleaned it up and then I
took a grist to mill when we went down
to see Caroline which would leave 37 
bushels. you say Doll is very unruly
				           one
you have tried every experiment but won
            I suppose   is
to break her ^ one her to kill her do you
make her wear a yoke such as I had
for her last summer I am sorry
she is so bad for I dont see how
you could get along without her
I think you had better keep her in the
barn wear the colt and that will relieve
          		            wont
be less trouble and she will learn the
colt any bad tricks you used to
talk to me about being careless
with the children when I think it
is my turn now that colt will play

you some tricks yet and hurt the
children if they ride his back you
have never told me whether the wheat
was good whether it was not more
than half a crop I wish you would
tell me more of what is going on
on the place Is the oats half a crop
have you got the hay cut yet I want to
know things whole let it be good or 
bad I will say again that Mrs. Daniels
has nothing to fret her about here as far
as Mr Daniels actions is concerned he
behaves himself as a married man
should so far as I should like to know
who it is that writes home such stuff
it ought to be stopped tell Louisa that
                                        then
the folks here are not healthy but most
of them cant read or write so you see they
are very ignorant If y they all talk like the
negro if you could go to a negro meeting and
see the styles and find clothes you know
they are a very proudrace the whites are
poor as the negro and without pride
you ask me if I think I could be drafted
of course I do my land would not clear
me one moment the draft takes place the

fifth of September I see by Aug 16th, 1864 the
Detroit paper that our towns quota is 21
twenty-one men if that so I should
hardly escape if I was there I think 
this will be the last draft. the rebs
cant hold out much longer I think
the November Election will end the
war if Lincoln is elected they will
give up if the copperheads elect their
man the war will end by a compromise
dont reckon too much on our coming home
			     I think
next fall for if we get home ^ it will not
be to stay for there is a great deal of work
here to do   I have taken some trouble to
get legal counsel and I find the opinions
of all the men to be that the government
can hold us if they want us for three
years if we are not mustered out with
the old Regiment we may possibly get
a furlough for thirty days if I should
be mustered out this fall I think I could
stay at home if there was nothing to call
me away if I had to come back I could
put myself in as good a position again I
think I got a letter from you Sunday
dated Aug. 8th and was glad you was

all well you can keep kissing the children
for me and I will pay you in my way
when I get back I think. Bassett or
his wife or both are getting fat ridges
for me no dout the little one will be a boy
well I wish them good luck I must close
           			 	     may
my letter by saying good bye and ^ God
bless you is the prayer of your husband
			Simeon A Howe
to his lonesome wife