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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?].