#17



		Bridgeport Jan. 20th 1864
My dear wife I have looked in vain for this
past week for a letter from you it seems
almost an age I am very very anxious to
hear how you got along during this awful
cold weather I hear from most ever quarter
that people are freezing to death up there
do get lots of wood and some one to do the
chores for you get yourself and the children 
lots of good warm clothes. it has been so
cold here that the ground was froze near
six inches deep but it is all thawed out
now. the robins sung this morning and
it looks like spring it freezes nights
and thaws daytimes good sugar weather
the citizens say it has not been so cold
for over 25 years. We are in good quarters
have enough to eat and good warm cothes
and I dont want you to suffer for fear
of the expenses I sent you five dollars.
Dec. 31st and five more Jan. 14th and I shall
soon be able to send you five more that
I have earned since I came here aside from
my wages which I get from Unkle Sam which
is 17 dollars per month I mean my wages
shall come to 20 dollars per month besides what

I have to spend for myself so you must not
					   have
suffer for the necessaries of life while I am
my health. We have not been paid yet and dont
know how soon we will be paid Sometimes I
think I have done wrong in leaving you with 
so much on your hands but I hope it is all for
the best perhaps it will result in permanent
good for both of us God grant it will. I am
well as ever. Are you and the children well
does Arden learn his lessons good does baby
keep fat and plumb as ever are all the things
on the place doing well write and let me know
you got the money I sent you and when you got
it  if clover seed comes down to eight dollars
per bushels get enough to sow nine acres which
will be 72 lbs if it dont come down then sow
timothy seed on the wheat ground and the piece 
next to fitzpatricks have Mr Luce get his crops
in as early as possible. If you have any wheat
to sell you had better sell while it is froze for it
will be apt to bring the best price I have heard
			         bushel
it was worth two dollars per bush dont sell
yourself short the company is most all out on
drill so it is still times in camp now I dont
have to drill as I am cook the men have not
got any guns yet but they can learn the changes

		Jan 20, 1864


in drill John is a corporal William is not
here yet    I got a letter from Oscar yesterday
he is on the gain he said he should go home
in a few days if he does I want you to
send me a package of envelopes good
thick yellow ones if you cant send by
him send by mail I dont think of much
more to write so good bye for another
week if no letter a long sad week if
no letter comes from home but time goes
of fast here when I hear from you regular
I shall write every week iff I can get any
thing to write on or any thing to send a letter
in give my respects to all inquiring
friends and take my love yourself for you
and the children only. I long to see you very
much but that cannot be so there is no use
repining.  from your affectionate husband
to his wife
			Simeon A Howe
Company M is not any of them dead yet
if they are all or half on the sick list
			good-bye SAH
I send the boys each a little book
[illegible in original] for Arden
			Good bye