Corydon January 6th 1863
Dear Cousin John:_____
I intended to answer your letter imm
ediately after receiving it, but was so busy that I was
obliged to put it off until now. I have nothing of
interest to write to you but I know that when one
is away from home, and especially in the army as
you are, all letters are welcome whether they contain
any news or not. I did not know certainly that
you were in the army. Wasíent you discharged once?
I suppose it is right for every one to enlist and go
to war, and if I had a brother I should encourage
him to go, but it seems so hard for all the young
men to go off, and just be killed by hundreds
and without accomplishing anything after all.
It seems to me that things look a great deal dar
ker now that they did at first but perhaps it
will grow brighter after while, at least we will
hope so.-- We should have been very much
pleased to have had you stay with us this
winter as it is very lonesome here. Almost all
the young men are gone from town and
several of the girls are leaving this winter and
I suppose it will be more lonesome after they go
away than it was before.. How did you spend
Christmas and New Years away from home? It
passed away like all other days I supposeÖ
Some of us girls here in town with three or
four gentlemen gave a concert on New ñ Years
night for the benefit of the Soldiers. It was
very well attended and we made a right nice
little sum of money. We are serving doing other things
for the soldiers all the time here. We have a Soldierís Aid
Society which meets once a week. Mother is President of
it.. Last night several of us girls went down to scrape lint
to send away with a box of clothing etc. to-day ___ .. We
have been hearing good news to-day from the army
in Tennessee
Thursday Night-- Well I will try and finish this letter to-night
My eyes have been very weak lately and I cannot read or
Write much at night without hurting them or I would
Have had this letter done before. Helen has just finished
a letter to Cousin Ethan, We heard from him not long ago
He has been in the late battles in Virginia but has escaped
unhurt so far.. I should not wonder much if we were
to have fighting hear among ourselves sometime. The
Democrats and Unionists quarrel so much. And
as we live here so close to Kentucky the people here
in town get frightened occasionally about the guerrillas
coming over and attacking us. Father has bought him a
splendid gun, and I suppose intends to be ready to
fight if there is any occasion, however we are not much
afraid of any danger..
But my pain me so I cannot write longer
All have gone to bed except Helen and I, and it is
time we were there. You must excuse this paper, but
there was no letter paper in the house when I commenced
this letter. Or I should not have written on this. We
all send our love to you and I hope you will return
soon from the war, and make us a visit.
Good night, write soon
Relia