#1



		Detroit Baraacs oct 24 / 1863
                                             my
Dear wife I have just signed ^ pay rolls
and will be paid this afternoon and start
to night for Tennessee you need not fret
about our living poor because I have
not sit down to eat yet when there was
not plenty to eat and drink for my
dainty taste   The hard tack is as good
as most crackers that we buy. but we
have not had them but twice we had
fresh fish this morning and we have
had fresh beef most all the time and
good Bakers Bread and coffee all the
time with sugar but no milk or butter.
there was three hundred old soldiers
come in Sunday and they all say
they have never lived so poor in
the army _ _ _ _ _ _ when supplies
was cut off _ I _ cannot think but
stories are some stretched. how
are you and the babies I am
well and hearty kiss the children
for me and take a good one yourself
I shall send home my clothes by
the freight train directed to Maple 
Rapids in care of Ray Hewitt

note on back in CEPH's hand writing:
     Simeon A. Howe     M 1st Engineers & Mechanics
           Mich. Vol. Infantry, via Nashville, Tenn.

we think I sent this by bassett
take care of yourself and try and
keep well I sent a little pin by
Bassett for Helen   I will send some
thing for you all as soon as I can.
The prospect is that we shall not
all go this trip  Oscar come, Nick
Fulton. Jim Paine, Don Glover and
others up to twelve Joel Smith with 
the rest so I am not lonesome.
Good bye now with my love forever
	from your husband
		Simeon Howe
P.S. We dont leave.      but will all
go together to night We shall send
all of our c(lothes?) home by Bassett to
Maple Rapids and you can get them
of Boy hewit the expenses are all paid
on them our clothes are all done up in
separate bundles and our names on
them. My money will be sent by express
directed to you You had better have
some one to come out with you after
it and then you can prove your Name
if it is necessary. It is most dark now
kisses for me to the babies Goodbye again