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the time, until I received Mother Gardner's letter, that neither of my brothers were in the army, but it was so I suppose, and it must have been for the best or our Father in Heaven would have permitted him to have lived. I hope to meet him in that bright world above where there is no more parting, sin, or sorrow, ----?------ at the cross. I would give a good deal to step in and see you all to night and have a chat, and I hope I will some time. I would like to ride up from the Falls and drive up to the house and see if any of you would know me. I look much older than I did in '59, and then I did shave, now I do not use the razor at all. I think sister Mary might perhaps know me, --- dear Sister I wish I could see you. My Mary says she wishes she could see you too, she thinks she could love you like a sister. And dear father, oh how I wish I could see you and have a good long talk with you. I would like to go back on the hill and have a long, long talk with you. I dreamed the other night that you came to see me and that you enjoyed the visit very much. The first place I would go to after home and Uncle Charles would be to the old grave yard. I want so much to visit my mother's grave. I feel like it would do me so much good, and if God spares my life and gives us peace I intend to do so, but if we are not victorious I shall go still farther south and probably never go north, but I may.

Please dear father write to me and send it by flag of truse [sic]. I would so much like to receive another of your good kind letters. I believe your letters have done me a great deal of good. I would give dollars if I could get one of them tomorrow. Please remember me to Aunt Thankful, tell her I have not forgotten her many kindnesses to me when a boy. I have a pair of stockings that she gave me