p.

East Montpelier
2nd month 16th 1862

My dear Willie

I wishe thee could set down here between mother and me and let us tell thee all we
want to say instead of communicating it in this dull way but as that cannot be it is an
inestimable privilege to be able to write. It would be very natural for thee to think I was
enjoying myself this winter and I expected I should very much but it is not often that we realize
our anticipations. It has proved so in my case. We had scarcely got settled here before mother
went to Ferrisburgh and staid three weeks. She returned a week ago yesterday but she has
been so unwell almost ever since that we couldn't visit much. She seemed to have a hard cold
and her cough has been very troublesome but she is better today and I hope will soon be quite
well. Sis Mary is pretty smart she has been here three times since mother came home. It does
her good to ride and she enjoyed it much, though the roads are in a bad state, not from mud as
with you, but the hollows are so deep and frequent that if we go fast we are thrown from our
seats. We went to Horace's last first day and had the pleasure of seeing thy good long letter to
Howard. I think it quite an attainment to be able to write so as to interest children. Brother
John's daughter write to me and I like very much to have them but I am more at a loss to know
what to say to them than almost any one else. Jamie returned last sixth day and it would do
thee good to see him. He looks so healthy and fleshy. He is going back to school this spring.
Isn't Thomas a good brother to be willing to spare him. He has hired Horace Steward. I
suppose he is first rate help but he has to pay high - seventeen dollars per month. Thomas has
a fine lot of hay in the barn and he takes cattle to keep over night for Jerome. He has just come
with some. I saw Aunt Paulina to meeting - she was very affectionate but how old and pale and
feeble she looks. Uncle Timothy seems as smart as he did a year ago. George was there too
with his new great coat on. It is almost white with drab colored buttons binding and collar. It
does not look very well on him. Orlana stayed here while mother was gone and I think she is a
pleasant agreeable girl and a good tidy and economical house keeper. She and Thomas had a
good many pleasant rides together.

Uncle Nathan and I visited at Henry Foster's. What a pleasant family they are and what
a comfortable home they have. I wondered very much how Mary could think of exchanging it
for one with Austin Templeton.

Oh Willie, when and how is this terrible war to end? For my part I see very little
encouragement to look for a speedy close. We have been hoping something would be done
but it seems awful to hope so for no movement can be made but at the cost of human life and
how many mother's wives' sisters' and daughters' hearts are already bleeding for those who
have already fallen.

I had a long letter from thy Uncle John. He was in Ill. on business for the government,
buying five hundred tons of hay. If he succeeds as he hopes to he thinks it will be a good thing
for him. He has great confidence in Timothy, has left him in charge of his family and business
and expects every thing will go on well. I hope thee will not let trifles hinder thee from writing
home. Thee knows how anxious mother would be if she didn't hear from thee and write to me
as soon as convenient. Nathan united in sending love to thee.