Pontiac Ill. Oct. 6th 1862

My Dear Husband

Yours of the 1st 2nd & 3rd Oct I received today I was much surprised to learn that you had not heard from me I wrote you first when baby was just a week old I wrote again the 29th of September I am now at Mothers came over last saturday Jonnie is here & no better he is very low God grant that a change for the better may soon come

I am very well have almost regained my usual strength Baby grows and is very good I forgot to tell you in my other letters that he weighed nearly nine pounds instead of six and one half I am going to remain here at Mothers until Jonnie gets able to be about

Mr. Russel Lis & Abbie came over to see baby this evening Mr. Rennick rec’d a letter from you to-day Mr Russel says he will write soon I am so sorry Dear Frank that you are called away from Louisville so soon I was in hopes you would stay there some time it seemed quite near home You will try and take good care of your health wont you and if you get sick come right home You have heard me speak of Erastus Stickney Lucia’s brother He died the 26th Sept of typhoid fever he was in the army and taken sick his brother nursed him until they thought him able to travel he came home but to die I had a letter from Thomas last week. In one of the letters, I sent you three which came for you, week before last if you do not get them I must write you of their contents I am writing while baby is on my arm, nursing, so you must not wonder if it is very much scribbled

We have had very dull gloomy weather for a week part of the river is almost as high as it was this summer Tuesday morning. Jonnie is worse this morning we sent after the Doctor at daylight it is with difficulty he can speak the Dr. says his liver is very much affected We are very anxious about him You must not forget when Sunday comes again. I like to think of you as thinking of what I am doing I am afraid Maggie’s coffee dont taste any too well mornings I am very sorry if it is so. Columbia Anderson had a little son the 30th of September Scotts wife is not well & does not go out much

What was it Frank I heard you say once about having the baby baptized Did you say, you thought you would not have him baptized in his infancy Jonnie needs me to fan him and I can not write any more now I have had to write this letter while keeping the flies off him and caring for the baby. Baby is smiling in his sleep the angels are talking to him. the Irish say God bless you my husband & protect you in every time of danger Write often to your affectionate wife

Mary M C