My Dear Son
Another week has rolled round and again I am permitted the dear privilege of conversing with you through the medium of the pen. And even now I would gladly lay this aside could I see you and converse with you verbally; but as that is impossible, I must be content at present with the use of the pen. Yours of the 2nd ?? was received on Monday the 9th, the same day our was mailed to you. It was as usual hailed with joy and read with pleasure, it also found us all well; for which blessing I am truly thankful. Glad to here once more that you are in the enjoyment of your health. Hope your life or health may be spared a few months longer and you return to bless your anxious parents.
Your Father and I are alone for a few days now. Martha Jane has gone to Marshalltown to visit Alzina, the first time she has been there since they went to house keeping. We are very lonely, but toil on. Have not seen Frank since Christmas. Received a letter from him last week, we well then and about his usual occupation.
E Luman you don't' know how glad we shall be when you are once more a free man, free to go and see you wife, free to come and see your dear parents, brother and sisters and finally for ever free. Father says, if by having a furlough this winter you should lose your position, he thinks you had better not take one, we feel so much safer about you where you are, then when you were in the ranks. But you must do as you think best.
We have at last heard from friends in Parishville by way of a letter from Cynthia Mitchell. Her Mother has got to be quite well again. Other friends all well.
Would you like to hear from Hogansbrug. Well Martha Jan had a letter from Delia the other day. She says there has been quite a revolution on their street. Sam Barlor has moved into the house where we used to live. Caroline St. Denn's into Sam's house. The Brwons have fixed up the old house on the corner apposite Bowker's, they live in the upper part, and have a grocery in the lower part. Three French families in Brown's house. A new house built opposite Mr. Babcock. De Witt is in Cleaveland Ohio. Conductor on a street Car. Dodging around to get rid of the Draft. His wife and a fine little boy are in Hogansburgh. Bob, LaGrow and John are both married. I guess that will do for Hogansburgh news. Yes Luman I have got yarn that I can knit a poor soldier a pair of socks. I have enough for one pair and they are pretty well along. I commenced them as soon as I read your letter, will send them in a few days. Martha Jane brought me some rolls from NY when she came and I will spin and knit another pair as soon as I can. Would you like to have me send a box of edibles? If so I will send as soon as possible.
I had forgotten to tell you that Wm, Bero and Wm Dewes were both killed at the same time that Henry was hurt, in the last battle that the 92 Reg't were engaged in; the 27th of Oct last. You had never written us that your comrade ?? Tichernor was dead; herhaps you did not know it.
We are having a very pleasant winter here, for seven weeks we have had no storm whatever, it is as pleasant as you ever saw in April or Oct. No snow at all, and the roads are splendid. This morning it looks as though we might have a storm of some kind, yes it is spitting snow a little.
Father has got his corn about half husked, he works some at it every day, draws his fire wood and chops it, he not only keeps busy but works very hard all the time. This is good, and he is more healthy than he has been for the last eight years. Well I inteded t close with this page and I think I will close here, for I am sure you must be tired reading by this time. I am glad you can have an occasional visit with Alfred, tel him to write to his Aunt Cynthia and she will answer it. Also give him my love. Give love to Frances alsways when you write, and receive a large share yourself from your affectionate parents.
Nathaniel Baldwin
Cynthia H Baldwin
NY