61


		Hd Qrs. Dethm 1st Mich E&M.
	        Stevenson Ala Oct Nov 2d / 64
Dear Wife I am back again in camp at Stevenson
I was out on detail only one week and then was
called back and duly installed as Company Clerk.
it is a very good Berth I cant make quite so
much money as I could at cooking but it is
a great deal easier and I think if I do my
Business with neatness and dispatch I can
get a promotion after a little I am well as
usual I shall always have good quarters
and nothing to do but write I shall not
wear out quite as many clothes the
soldiers are quite thick around here they
are in pursuit of the rebs we have got
the rebs in rather a bad fix we can
Send our troops by railroad while the
rebs have to go on foot. it is just one
week to day since I wrote to you before
and it has been one week and three days
since I got a letter from you if you dont
write oftener I shall have to adopt the
plan of writing only when I get a letter
then I guess you will write oftener
John got two letters from E. yesterday but
I got none from my loved ones at home

I dont know what to write without having
              from
any letter at home to help me think. William
is here and is quite tough for him he is
out of money and I have let him have two
dollars and one quarter. if you have not paid
that note that he let Lyman have against me
write and let me know for I can have what
I let him have endorsed on it as it will be
nearly two months yet before we get our pay
you must excuse the shortness of this letter
For I dont know what to write I will send
some kisses to the children and some to my wife
if she will accept I could send you some apple
Blossoms if it was not so dark I cant see to get them
  I saw plenty of roses in Bloom last Sunday . I
shall try and do my best to keep the position I now
occupy for it will give me a chance for improve-
ment. I think the Lord has Blessed me much
Since I Enlisted I feel that he will continue his
Blessings if I try and do my duty and with the
prayers of my wife and children. Write often and I
will I think Arden had better study some little
mental Arithmetic this winter but let him continue
with Geography if he needs any more books get
them for him well I will close by bidding you all
good-night  From Your Husband    Simeon A. Howe