#76

	Head Quarters Co "M" 1st Mich E
		Elk River Bridge, Tenn.
Jan. 31st 1865
	       Dear wife I got no letter from you
this week I have been very busy this week
I have to Issue clothing to about 200 men and
they are in four different Detch. One at Elk River one
at Cummings Woods yard One at Murfreesboro and
one at Smyrna Stretched along the distance of
about 60 Miles So you see I have Something
to do I dont hardly know what to write but
to say we are all in very good health I never
was tougher in my life. I have found out
how long it will take to freeze hard
enough to Skate here it has been quite
cold here for four or five days I saw
men scating at Smyrna last Sunday
but it is quite warm again now So I
                                   to skate
think it is no very safe ^ any more the
Streams have not been froze any it is only
the little pond holes or mud holes where
the water is still that froze any the
ground is froze Some but but will be 
all thawed out by to-night it is very
warm this morning I shall have
to go to Murfreesboro again in a few days

we have not got our pay yet but expect to this
week the news is very favorable for peace
in a Short time. I hope the news will prove
true the fact is we are driving the rebs like
chaff before the wind it is impossible for them
to hold out much longer but peace must be
established on a basis of Freedom for all mankind
I think the nation is about ripe for such a
Proclamation but the bill amending the con-
stitution will certainly have to pass first So
as to Exclude Slavery from the United States
I know that God never would allow So
much blood to be spilled unless it was
to attain Some great object and I think the
object is to establish the principles of
Self-government and the freedom of all man-
kind I think this will be the result of
this war and when that is attained then
the war will cease and not before.
Some of the boys think we shall be Sent
to the regiment with Gen Sherman but
I think we shall stay in this department
next summer  . I think you had not
better hire much work done next
Summer on the place it costs so much
it wont pay It seems very expensive

			Jan. 31st 1865


to keep a Span of horses and pay taxes on them
with nothing for them to do. but I know you
could not get along without them but if they will
raise a Span of colts it will pay very well do
you think they are with fold this year It
was too bad for Ed Wardwell to abuse that
heifer So but I suppose if we have to hire
work done we must put up with the way
it is done untill we can do it ourselves.
Does Arden learn Geography any this winter
I should like to see you all very much I
suppose I could get a furlough but it will
cost about 35 dollars to go home and get
back and then I could not be gone over
20 or 30 days and it would take half that
time to be on the road and it would be
as you say nothing but an aggravation
So I think I will stay untill next Summer
			         no
anyway and then if there is any hopes
of peace I will try and get a furlough
in warm weather but I think next
Spring Campaign will end the war and
let us all come home next Summer.
I dont think of any more to write this
time So I will say good bye and May
God bless and protect you is the

prayer of Your Everloving husband

		Simeon A Howe
to his wife C E P H

[MSU permissons stamp on backside visible through the front]