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March 2, 1862
My dear Niece Maurice came home last night + speaks of leaving for NC in the morning So I will violate my rule + write you this The holy Sabbath day. Bettie gave birth this morning to another Son. The little fellow comes into our world in a dark + gloomy time in our countrys history. May God in His mercy + goodness preserve him from the evil of the world, [ ] [ ] his parents to consecrate him this day soul + body unto the Lord. Bettie is apparently doing well. I wrote you more than a month ago but [?] have [?] so fast upon our [?] is that I have neglected to stand by [?] [?] is extremely doubtful about your getting it. We are in the midst of exciting [south?]. Fort Henry + Donelson together with Nashville have fallen + it is now rumored that Columbias on the [?] . [Rain?] is evacuated, if this he so Memphis is [doomed?]. Refugees for our [?] the county are [forming?] upon the Cotton States + the Southern army also falling back to ourborder. The supply question both of food + clothing is becoming alarming. In our [?] [?] have food enough for home consumption. South of us they have not + [?] our others to be fed is more than I can [bear?].
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Bro Wm & family are still [Nashville?] , I know not what his situation will be. [?] given one account & [?] another of the dealing of the northern army with citizens judge is still [here?] or at [much?] Billy's. He is in rather bad health. There is a [great?] [?] and [?] for [?] & the probability is that all will be ordered [?] who are able to [?] arms in life than 30 days. What then is to become of our wives & little ones & our homes is more than mortar [?] [?]. May God in mercy turn away this great evil & cons[?] [?] [?] [utterly?] on account of our sins.
Oh! Pray for me that my faith fail not for my soul is [?]. Sad and sorrowful & full of [?] [?]. Remember me most affectionatly to dear Sister A & dear Henrietta in her afflictions. Does she seem to remember anything about mrs May [Goodness?] & [mercy?] follow you all. All the days of your lives & may we all dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Write to me is all communication is not cut off. Affictionably your much Excuse me for [writing?] on [torn?] Envelopes. Robb. They like many other things are getting scarce.
