Stevenson Ala
March the 2 /64
Dear Charlotte
I have just took a long look at your likeness and I will now try and write a fiew lines to you in answer to your kind letter. The one you finished to Bartons. I was glad to hear you were well and enjoying a good viset. I am well but I dont have as good an apetite as I did when we first came here and I haint quite as fleshey as I was. I dont weigh but 175 and I am afraid it will be verry unhealthy here this spring. It rained yesterday but it is clear and pleasent again to day. We was musterd Monday for Jan and Febuary. I guess we will get pay sometime this month. I hope you have got the 26 dollars I sent by Capt Sweet. You think you can pay one hundred dollars on our place this spring. I would like to pay all we can but I dont want you to let to much go. Ceep enough for your owne use. If Holmes will take that amount you had better get Barton to see to it. You had better not sell it if you get a chanse for I know we cant get a cheaper place and if we have good luck I guess we can pay for it and then we will have a home. Abe Olmstead had a good joke plaid on him. I wish a lot of the copperheads would get the same trick plaid on them espheshly old Hungerford. You neadent send eney more paper. I can get it here. I have bought six stamps so you neadent send eney for a spell. Let me know if you got the picture I sent you. I dont know what to send Matie this time but I must find something. I am afraid she will forget her pa. I want to see her so bad I dont hardly know what to do and you can judge wether I want to see John D and you or not. I wish I knew how Wm gets along. Write often and let me know. How does Father and Mother get along this cold weather in their cold house. I have thought of them a good meney times this winter. If it was as warm up there as it is down here their house would be plenty warm enough. I stated in my last that Perkins had gone home. He will bring me some socks if you take them to Reeds. I shall have to close for this time. I will write again in a fiew days. Tell Ellick I am much obliged to him for taking you to Bartons. My love to you. Good buy.
Chas Engle