No. 2				#12



			Bridgeport Al Dec. 20th 63
Dear wife perhaps you dont like to have
me write every day but I dont care the boys
are all getting things that was sent them so
I thought I would write and have some
things sent to me I dont feel very needy for
I have not eat up all the currants yet but
you may send a box to me as soon as you
get this [illegible in original] I want you to send John
and me five pounds A piece of good sweet
butter if you have not got it go to Roll
Smiths and buy it send one cake of Maple
Sugar and about 2 qts of strawberry preserves
and a few dried peaches; put in a paper
of shoe tacks round headed ones. one pegging
awl and send a good stird cake made by
yourself and that is all I guess we had better
try this time. you had better buy a tin
pail with cover to pack the butter in
and one to pack the preserves in go to
the tin shop in St. Johns and have them
solderd tight then get Basset to make a
box and have it nailed solid so there
will be no danger of it bursting open
Now I think I have put you to trouble 
enough to suit you.    It froze quite

hard for two or three nights back so it
was quite cold there is a constant stream
of soldiers coming in here tired out
come back to recruit there was
about 8 reg come yesterday and a great
many were barefoot. there supplies can
not go through fast enough for them I
think I should not like that kind of
soldiering god grant I never will have to.
there is preaching here to day so you see
we are big bugs here. I suppose you are
all hard at work taking care the
things in the cold while I am laying
around camp doing nothing I bought
a pen this morning for $1.50
I dont know of any more news to
write at present. Ed Bassett is sick
this morning I guess he will get
along though without much trouble
if you have got one good pair of socks
sent them along but my socks are
whole and good yet you need not buy
any to send at present. Have the
box directed to Simeon A. Howe,
Nashvile, Tenn. Company M first
Mich Eng. & Mech to be forwarded

			Dec. 20, '63


to com. you had better pay the express
charges there and take a receipt for it
marked paid then put the receipt in a
letter and send it to me. then I think
it will be all right have the directions
put on at the express office with Black
or red paint I expect when it comes I
shall have a home feast I am going to
make some rings for the children out
of mussle shells and send home make
your box of basswood boards if you
have them.   now good bye you know
of coars I am well as ever. kiss the
children for me and take one for your-
self. I dont hear from Will yet nor
Oscar either good bye. now dear wife
rest easy on my account
		Simeon A Howe to his wife
letter No 2
     tell Bassett if he has not sent his box yet
to send a larger box than the boys
sent for and put in some Maple Sugar
and about a dozen boiled eggs