#15


		Bridgeport Al Jan. 7th, 1864
Dear wife I have a little time this morning
so I think I will talk a little with you. I
am as tough as a [billed?] owl & as fat as a
pig I get your letters almost every Sunday
that starts from there a week the Friday
before they come very regular I take a
good deal of comfort looking at the children's
pictures but miss their mothers Send yours
as soon as you can I have got all your letters
I think I have got two with post stamps in,
I suppose I can send my letters without stamps
but it is more trouble as I should have to
get them signed by the Colonel or captain so
I think it is better to have the stamps. I
I hear that wheat is ($2.00) two dollars
per bush with you if it is you had better
sell all you have to spare at that price but
you must do as you think best for you
know that I leave everything to your
judgement I got a letter from Will a
few days ago he was in want of money
his descriptive roll has not come yet but he
(four words        money
(indecipherable) may because he _ _ _
$25.00 (2 lines erased) would do him
			              with
some good. but such is the way of the

world I thank the lord I have not
such a disposition. I should like to
see you all very much but the time
will come again. I dont think I shall
get any discharge until the war is over
or my time is out I sent you five
dollars in my last letter this company
was mustered for pay Jan 1st  but we
dont much expect the paymaster untill
about the first of March tell Electa
Joel Smith and James L Paines wives
found their Detroit City Bounty in the 
Post office at St. johns Instead of in the
express Office and she had better look there
for hers it may be there.. John frets
some about it you know of course. but
I tell him it will all come out right
yet if Oscar gets home tell him to
bring some cloves powders and some [penna?]
for me, put in one package of envelopes
for John and me we dont know as yet
whether we get the three hundred dollar
bounty or not if we do I mean to save 
enough to build a new house when I
come back. I dont know of any news
of Importantes to write we dont get



		Jan. 7th 1864.


much news of Importance here Bassetts Boys
are not very well we are just as much out
of danger here as in Mich. it has been
cold here for the last week but not any
				(?)
snow tell Helen I have got a nig for
her but I am afraid if I should send him
in a letter he woudl kick out he is a
smart one I tell you John is not been 
very well for two or three days but feels
much better this morning. tell Arden pa
has got that pretty picture of his and baby's.
that the man took in the rapids takes all
the comfort you can sleigh riding this
winter tell babe to send lots of them kisses
in a letter for me for I want lots of them
but he must not freeze them little square
toes of his. how does your wood hold out
and how much is your taxes I am going
to save money enough from cooking to
pay them and for pocket change well I must
stop for want of room I send you all a good
kiss and then good bye for another week
and god bless you.
			Simeon A. Howe