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family will have, I fear, to continue to feel mortified at his course, for I cannot believe he really intends any reparation. I have thought since my return that I unintentionally have given you little satisfaction about your part of the business. I do not know however that we must be in a hurry to make any arrangement as to Wm's interest in the place, since I know his indebtedness, execept to you, is quite small & in case of his death you could take what property may stand in his name. I am almost inclined to reconsider my proposition to buy his interest since your offer of a place in your office has been weighed. I am persuaded though I have succeeded beyond my expectation here, I made a mis-
take in leaving you those years ago & believe a proper regard for my future would dictate my returning the step. Annie is of the same opinion &, like the best of wives as she is, therefore wishes me to exchange our practice for [begin underline] Waterloo [end underline] as a home. She is aware, as I am, that I will have to content for what little practice this country affords with an un[scrupulous?] & disagreeable competition- & I have no doubt she would sever all the ties that bind her to Wadesboro most cheerfully & go with me anywhere it might appear to my interest & happenings to move. (I wouldn't intimate she doesn't like Raleigh for that is not the fact.)- It seems almost idle to be forming plans that look beyond the war, & I would only
[top center] Dr Battle Loan Dr Ashe Note
express my reasons fully for preparing to leave the transers of interests in this place open for a while.
How does Cousin Wm value Waterloo? A small lot & little cottage would satisfy our aspirations until we were able to do better.
Don't forget to hand that $20. to [Stronge?].
Annie and Lucy are well & bright. the latter being much more merry than when I reported on her a fortnight ago in person. Annie sends best love to to you & Sister Pattie. I do the same & send [crossed out letter s] kisses to the little ones besides. Sam, who is standing by talking to A. says "give him my love."
Claiburne hasn't come yet & I still am not very sanguine of getting into the war. I may & may not!
Write soon-
Yours [humidly?]^S. but afftly. R.H Battle Jr.
[top right margin] Winter Quarters Sewell's Pt. Jan 24th/62
To a Dear Sister
I expect that you have all been blaming me for not writing sooner, but really, [begin underline] I [end underline] have blaming [begin underline] you. [end underline] Your letter which was dated the 13th, reached me yesterday (the 23d) taking only ten days to make its trip. I had almost [begin underline] "sworn out" [end underline] against writing any more. I hope Lewis got my letter safely. Tell him that the sympathy which he expressed for the [begin underline] rooster [end underline] reported to have been killed by a Yankee shell, was,
[sideways in left margin] congratulating myself that I was very tough; but have at last taken slight cold- [Doss?] is [?] to-day; but is very well wrapped up.
[sideways across top of page] [Nels?] say he is very much obliged to you for not forgetting him and sends his best love to you all- I have a guitar now. guess what I gave for it? [begin underline] Two dollars and a half. [end underline] It needed gluing when I bought it. I got it from Tho. Kingsbury's halfbrother. Charlie K. It sounds pretty well, but, of course, it is pretty rough.-Give my love to all and write soon to Your aff't. Bro. Junr.
after all, groundless; for I see from the "Day Book" that he was only wounded and has entirely recovered.
I see from the "Express" that Soader's and Carr's stores have been burnt and that the fire was stopped by blowing up two other houses. Please tell me about it when you write-you may imagine how shocked I was to hear such bad news from our dear little village.
I am perfectly safisfied with your explanation of the way in which you sometimes don't [begin underline] answer [end underline] my letters and if my questions are answered I shall be perfectly content.-I am rejoiced