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Washington Oct. 22, 1861
My Dear Wife
Your very good letter here and has
given me much relief - I had been afraid you
are suffering from loneliness and pining for my return
But Day agreeable disappointment you seem to be
in a very happy mood - and P "may stay as long as I
choose" - I shall soon grow jealous at this rate,
I am very glad you have so good a girl - &
that you are all so well - I wish you would ask
her [illegible] [illegible] turning point up all aound
the cellar windows - especially the new north [illegible]
down- It never was [illegible] & chick, up as it
ought to be - I want [illegible] to fix up all [illegible]
for the winter as though it was his own house
I will pay him - I am afraid that we shall
not get the furnace[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] through
this fall - By the way- if [illegible] will look
through the inside cellar window [illegible] the two-
rooms he will see a number of cracks in the
outside wall where the cold can get in- Have
him stop them - also cover up the hogs [illegible] &
[illegible] with earth [illegible] as he & I did last
autumn - I may have to stay till after the
[illegible] of [illegible] [illegible] as Mark wh. will
be as about 2 weeks [illegible] making [illegible]
Tell [illegible] to hurry on more [illegible] [illegible] and [illegible]&
the [illegible] [illegible] - [illegible] birth too [illegible] the better do
[illegible] of [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] just [illegible]