Stevenson Ala
March the 13 /64
Dear Wife
I seit myself this morning to write a fiew lines to you to let you know that I am well and that I got your letters in due time. One was mailed the 2nd and the other the 5th. I would have writen before but we had to move our chanties and we have ben verry buisy. We have got a verry nice camp now and our chanties in good shape. How long we will stay here I cant tell. The story now is that we are going to join the Army of the Potomac again. I dont know how it is but it came here in the papers the Nashville Union. It stated that Grant was going to take the 11th 12th 17th and 4th corps and join the Army of the Potomac and take Richmond but I dont believe it yet. I dont want to go and fight Lees men again. They fight so hard. If it was so it wouldent be noised about much. Charles Covert died last weak. He had the measels and a fever after the measels left. He left a wife and five small children. His wifes name was Platt. She is from Vestal. He was a good soldier. Alwais tough as a bear. He was sick but a few days. Sergt Andrews has got the mumps verry hard. I dont know but I will have them. I sleep with him. It is quite sickly here now. There was some recruits came here this morning for our regt so we will have to drill now. You say you have got to take back your cow. She cheated you nice. It must be that she is coming in. I dont know what you had better do. I dont think you had better trade her for as old a cow as Old Cream. If you can swaup her for a young cow you may and pay the odds or you may ceep her and let her fat and buy one if you have money enough. Do as you think best and as you can. Old Cream is to old. She haint near as good as she uest to be. I am glad you got the money I sent by Sweet. I sent five dollars and a likeness in my last letter. Let me if you get all or not. Buy something for Matie that she neads. Did you ever get the old likeness the one you sent by Capt Shipman. I sent it and havent heard from it yet. The weather is warm. We had a hard shower the other knight. It thounderd and lightend verry hard. I am sorry Wm is so miserable. Hope he will get better soone. I must close for the want of roome. Write as often as you can. I got four stamps in each of your last letters. I have pot enough at preasent. Good buy.
Chas Engle