"Letter from Edwin Fosha to his wife." (1863) Rice University: https://hdl.handle.net/1911/93763. [[Page 1]] Benton Bks June 3d 1863 My Dear wife I receved your kind letter to day I was very glad to hear from you if it was late I have been very ancious to hear from you and [[pity?]] in particular but the news was so good that it pays for all delays I hope the breaking out on [[Idas?]] face is not scrofula for there is no desease in the world I hate as bad as that I cannot see why Ida and Eva are unhealthy I know that wee have been tolerbly healthy and there I am sins that we have commited [wearding?]] to the laws of nature that should rest upon our children so mam I have great hopes of their recovery and hope that they may be as healthy as other children mother I dream of home evry night and dream of my famaly some of them are not pleasant but I will not trouble you with some of them some I have very pleasant ones and they are so much so that I am sorry that they are [[crossed out]] dreams, mother I want you to grant me one favor it may be some sacrafice to you but to me it will certainly be a favor [[Page 2]] to me that is to cut the acquaintance of Mrs Williams mother I never heard so much talk about a decent woman is she is one as there is here about her mam do not misunderstand me I have not the least fears of you but you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and wil do so but I claim the privledge of waching over my dear little wife who is dearer to me than life itself now mother do not feel hurt at this for I consider that you will thank me for this what you told me when I was at home is confirmed that she did not know who was mother of her own children and she is not fit to associate with my wife mother you do not know what this has cost me to write it this but I hope you will comply readyly, enough of this I hope it will not be long befor I shall be with you still I cannot get any satisfaction about my matters here [[crossed out]] the court marshall has been in session but my case did not come up I was in hopes it would and it may come on any day the sooner the better still when we are paid I would like to get my money with the balance as I have reason to [[Page 3]] belive that I will the men are geting very innpatient about theirs pay and the most of them will go home when they are paid and I am afraid will never return unless campelled there is continued good news from the army, and I hope this war will be closed in good time cotton goods in St Louis is coming down [[crossed out]] the same kind that they asked us 50cts per yard for they have sold lately for 25 cts and prints sold at wholesale for 14 1/2 cts per yd that is coming down prety well I had some strawberys and cream for tea but we had to pay 5cts for a small glass full which would be about 30cts per quart and not near so nice as those out of our garden and then to eat them at home is another consederation we had a ground cavalry Review here to day it was a fine sight General Schefield and General Davidson and both thir staffs were here they looked fine in full uniform there were a great many carrages and people on horse back some ladies on horse back they looked fine I only wished you were here with me to witness it you would of seen certanly somthing very nice but wars bad enough any way [[Page 4]] Gus and me have been quite busy the last two or three days a fixing up the company books they amount to owe two Thousand Dollars I think they will come out right in the end still it is a big job my health is not first rate the general health is not very good but nothing very sireous you must do as you think best about going to town but if you go you will probly have to stay all night and why go and stay at mr Stoners right from the Cars it will be a pleasant trip and you will have a good visit I mus close Mr Sergant sends Ida a little book which expresses my feelings as a Soldir I send you lots of kisses and the children that was a nice flowers and I will wear it next my heart may god bless you and keep you from all harm Good by your Husban E J Fosha [[Envelope]] [[St L Mo. Jun stamp]] Mrs R J Fosha Morris Grundy Il