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Feb 14th 1862

My very dear son

This is the day Ade said she was to have hollyday and you had promised to take her out in the country to make you a visit, this morning when the sun was shineing so pleasantly I felt that I would like so much to be there to go with you, sometimes a bright wish of this kind comes over me and then a sad feeling like a [sparing?] cloud seems [?] over and makes it dark again.

I think of you a great deal my son, and feel comforted knowing you pray fervently for me and my poor soldier boys, how my heart bleeds for them, so young, and surrounded by so much vice. They who have the command of them are profane men who have "no fear of God before their eyes"

{the following is the sideways text:}
Bro. Dick, I intended writing you this week, but as ma had written I will postpone until another time. I was at Salem last Sat. Mr. [?] didn't get to see us as he expected to do. The rain Saturday presented his coming here from Clover Garden.

In much love your sister
[?]