DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

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Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

1864-01-13 Page 3

Ida, Anna, Hattie, Edie, my little women, Howdy! Was Santa Claus good to you this time? Did you see his fur coat, icicles hanging from his head for hair and his lip for mustachio? and a pipe in his mouth with a great bag on his back full of good things for children?  I expect he came in, knelt by the bed with his chin on his arms and looked at you sleeping so warm with his eyes snapping like two coals and a smile that opened his mouth till his pipe dropped out as he thought what a jolly old soul he was to All good girls & boys, Young men & maidens, Husbands & wives, Soldiers & their families and the poor on his trip of once a year.  

   Marine Hosp Vicksburg, Jan 8 '65
My Darling wife, I rec'd yours of 2d yesterday and you may bet I was glad. I was afraid I couldn't hear from you again soon on account of ice on the River and was having the blues badly about it. Your letters are my meat & drink and if I lose one I get poor right off. I am glad you are better though wish you were well. I do hope you may yet get entirely well. Mind what I tell  you about dressing up warm. and trying some Stimulants and something on that hip.  Poor Anna! I am sorry for you. Pa wishes you were well so I do all of you and hope you won't be sick anymore this winter. I wish I had been there to help you eat your dinner. not because of the food for I had enough that was good, but because I should see you. Glad Al. was there & guess you will have a good visit with him. He seems to be a warm hearted fellow and I am glad he likes you so well, and feels at home so much with you. Wish I was there to see him and enjoy his visit. God bless him for his love to you where ever he goes. I suppose Dr. Allen will have written  to you before this anyhow as I told you I had written to him. As to your going to Mothers I believe I did say something I don't remember what hardly. but suppose you will have gone before this if you go at all, if not. I say do as you think best. The only hindrance to it is

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Ida, Anna, Hattie, Edie, my little women, Howdy! Was Santa Claus good to you this time? Did you see his fur coat, icicles hanging from his head for hair and his lip for mustachio? and a pipe in his mouth with a great bag on his back full of good things for children? I expect he came in, knelt by the bed with his chin on his arms and looked at you sleeping so warm with his eyes snapping like two coals and a smile that opened his mouth till his pipe dropped out as he thought what a jolly old soul he was to All good girls & boys, Young men & maidens, Husbands & wives, Soldiers & their families and the poor on his trip of once a year. Marine Hosp Vicksburg, Jan 8 '65 My Darling wife, I rec'd yours of 2d yesterday and you may bet I was glad. I was afraid I couldn't hear from you again soon on account of ice on the River and was having the blues badly about it. Your letters are my meat & drink and if I lose one I get poor right off. I am glad you are better though wish you were well. I do hope you may yet get entirely well. Mind what I tell you about dressing up warm. and trying some Stimulants and something on that hip. Poor Anna! I am sorry for you. Pa wishes you were well so I do all of you and hope you won't be sick anymore this winter. I wish I had been there to help you eat your dinner. not because of the food for I had enough that was good, but because I should see you. Glad Al. was there & guess you will have a good visit with him. He seems to be a warm hearted fellow and I am glad he likes you so well, and feels at home so much with you. Wish I was there to see him and enjoy his visit. God bless him for his love to you where ever he goes. I suppose Dr. Allen will have written to you before this anyhow as I told you I had written to him. As to your going to Mothers I believe I did say something I don't remember what hardly. but suppose you will have gone before this if you go at all, if not. I say do as you think best. The only hindrance to it is