East Villa Jan 31st /64

Dear Brother & Sister;

I have mislaid your last letter & so cannot tell what date it was sent. It was received about a week ago. Harry [& Wes?] received letters from you yesterday & you say you have not heard from home for a long time. I have been writing almost every week and cannot tell why you do not receive them but suppose the mails are rather irregular. One of your letters contained a photograph of Mary & Frankie. In your last you said it contained a collar also but that was not in. I am sorry you do not receive my letters for although they may not be very interesting it would still be hearing from home.

Charlie has started to college again and seems satisfied now to go on. He had a letter from Mary’s brother Sammy yesterday who says he has enlisted and expects to join the Army soon. I hope the necessity for new recruits will soon be over. I fear there will be many sad hearts before the war is over.

I could congratulate you on your promotion with much beter feeling had you obtained a less dangerous position although I guess it does not matter [too terribly?] any position is dangerous during a battle. I sincerely hope a few months more will successfully terminate hostilities.

I have taken rather a sudden notion to start to school and expect, no providence preventing, to leave for Williamsport Dickinson Seminary on Monday the eighth which is one week from tomorrow. I had intended going from home as there is a [sabeth?] school in Carlisle Pa & the work would be long and unpleasant & particularly during the wet seasons which we generally have in the Spring & early Summer. I have been at home all my lifetime and almost all my friends think it advisable. Mother is quite willing to have me go & [Wes?] & Harry have done what they could to encourage & help me. I should have waited another year had I been three or four years younger but I am already over twenty one and you know a lady grows old faster than a gentleman. I suppose Mother will miss me for a while but she will soon become accustomed to do [?] without me. She intends keeping a little girl so she will not [?] any harder nor do I think she will be more lonely. I would not have gone if she had not given her full consent but she thinks it best for me.

The weather for the last week has been most delightful, [fair?] out enough for [?] almost & I fear the birds have [?] so much that should we have much cold yet the [frind?] will be destroyed. It has been misting nearly all day and the wind is rising tonight, so I [?] our pleasant weather is over.

The family are all well. I believe Mother seems to enjoy very good health this winter. I hope my letter may not share the fate of some others and never reach its destination. We all send much love to Mary & yourself. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain as ever

Your Sister Hanna.