Mary (Chapin) Burt - February 8/12, 1864 - New Haven, IN

Dear Ones at Home,

I was most unexpectedly surprised by the reception of your letter, announcing the return of the absent soldier. I can rejoice with you that he has been spared to reach home once more, looking so well and in good spirits. I feel proud too, to think I have a broth-er brave and true enough to go forth and help to fight the battles of his coun-try, in this “hour of its great peril and utmost needs.” Dear Brother, [torn] that by your valor and courage [torn] still reenlisting again in the veteran service, your loyalty to the government that you will win a name that will be an honor to your family as well as yourself. You have known what it is to be exposed to the many dangers, hardships and privations attendant upon war and have borne them with a fortitude and courage such as only the true and brave are capable of doing. An overruling Providence has watched over you and kept you safe and unscarred in the midst of all these dangers for which we are all truly thankful. I hope you will enjoy yourself as best you can and improve it to the utmost during your sojourns at home. If I could only be there would most heartily give you a sister’s welcome. But that is beyond my power to do at the pres-ent time. I thank you for your kindness in offering to bear a part in the travelling [torn] penses and would gladly avail myself [torn] the opportunity If I could. Why can not you come and make me a short visit. It would not cost much and you could come so quick. It would cost you $6.75 to come here, and no change of cars except at the state line. How I would like to have you come and bring Hannah with you or any of the rest that would come.

Tommy has to work so hard and is so much confined to his business that he has not time to do any thing or go any where.

Friday morning

We are daily looking for Welling and have been for the past two weeks. Mother Burt came down here week ago expecting to see him here. I do not know what is keeping him unless the reg. has been detained and has not arrived at Columbus yet. He promised to write when he got to Massillon but have not received any word as yet. He has reenlisted again. I expect Malona has been looking for him so long that she has almost discouraged unless she has heard from him

Was glad to hear that you po [torn] through that extreme cold weather [torn] safely. I expect you felt it more on the prairie than we did here, and I tell you it was as much as we could do to keep any where near comfortable. Hannah I should not wonder if it was awful cold when you was writing without fire don’t forget the word and the meaning

The girls are at school and getting along very well. Nora studies Georgraphy, Arithmetic, Reading, Spelling and Writing. Lizzie’s studies are the same with the exception of Grammar. If you are knitting another net for Lizzie, you can just make it large enough for me and I will give this one to her, as it is most too small for the way of put-ting up the hair. If you have not commenced it just wait awhile perhaps I may take a notion to have you knit me one of silk. Tommy told me something about the lumber but I do not remember how it was exactly I think he said the price of lumber, for oak was $12 per thousand cotton wood and elm $10 per thousand on the track Have no poplar or cherry. There is some sycamore and ash. The freight [torn] ould be about $6 per thousand.

Willie is playing with the cat and making [torn] sideral noise. He can say most all of his [torn] tters. I think he would read soon if I should take pains with him. Write soon. love to all You have heard of the death of Jim Cooper, I presume Mrs. Shaw was badly burned, have not heard how she is getting along. Not able to be turned in the bed.

Now I will close by saying you must ever remember one as your aff. daughter & sister

Mary L. Burt