#72



		Head Quarters Co "M"
		Elk River Tenn Feb 4th 1865
Dear wife I Received your letter this morning
mailed the 27th of January and was surprised
to hear you had not heard from me since the
last of December I have wrote every week
since the communication was opened my silk
handkerchief came all right got it this morning
with my letter it is very nice I think I shall
use it for a pocket handerchief as I dont wear
anything of the kind on my neck I dont like
anything around my neck I am like the Irishman
ticklish round the neck I am sorry you had
the blues so when you begun your letter I dont
get the blues any More . I am well as ever.  I am
yet at Elk River Bridge I suppose the papers are
full of peace rumors: We dont get much papers
here but there is some peace rumors here but
I dont think there will be any peace sooner 
than next fall: I dont think of much to write .
I am glad your acquaintances will not stay cut
for if they did you would go crazy I dont
think you should be so particular if you
cant have who you want you ought to
take up with who you can get – it is
not right for people to brood over their

own wretchedness Company will turn the tide
of one's thoughts and make them feel better and
happier well as to my not knowing you when
I come home is a mistake for I should know
you if I should meet you in a hay mow. As
to Sarah Cressinger I think I shall pick my
own second mate I dont like to talk loud
it is to hard work and I am getting very
lazy if your shoes are not worn out when I get
back I choose to pick my own chap. tell
arden his picture is all safe I keep it in my port-
folio. it is as nice as it was when he sent
it. tell babe to eat his own popcorn and when I
come home we can pop some more I am glad
you have got a letter at last I suppose you feel as
if you could visit with your friends again and
						ten
my lecture is for nothing    Well it is after [illegible in original]
oclock and I must quit and go to bed this goes
out in the morning I suppose you are
living allone this winter by what you say .
is Electa Living with Louisa all the time
and do you have the double duty of doing
your own chores and take care of her
things to if you do I think you do 
more than your part does she take
her cattle allong or has she sold them

	Feb. 4, 1865


for they had horses and cattle both when John
left home.  I am glad the children have got a
cornppopper.  well I guess you can tell what 'tis 
if it has got 4 [pins?] in it. I mean the corn popper.
	Good Bye and God Bless and protect you all
	is the prayer of your husband,

		Simeon A Howe

Kiss the children for me and Say good night.
tell Louisa I shall have my pay fore that
Chicken when I come home or there will
be a fufs (fuss) She need not think she is going
to get rid of it by getting so she wants another
tell Oc I send him my best respects and
hope he will get well again, Soon I suppose
he feels glad he is going to have another
heir I think he must have one limb he
has not lost the use of any way.  Well
good bye again
			S A H

(hand-drawn picture of man with beard)

           my
I send you picture to you.