Pikeville

December 1, 1861

My dear husband, 

Last night's mail brought me the expected letter but from a different point from what I expected. I am sorry you have been moved so soon. I fear you will be pulled from "post to pillar" so you will not have a chance at the ordinary comforts of camp life, if they may be call(ed) comforts. You are having very bad weather but we can't expect better at this season. The baby is awake and I must quit for a while. 

We are getting along as well as we could expect now. My jaw rose and run considerably - almost well now. Mr. Derham came and cut up what wood we had; but Mr. Whittenburg has not any more ready to haul. Jasper Laurey brought us a load of corn yesturday; but the mountain hogs have gone back. I have not been able to get any more beef or anything else of the kind and we have nothing to eat but bread and frosted potatoes. Flin will go to the mountain Tuesday and bring down the potatoes and other things if he can find them. I told Mr. Derham to get Perry Carder to thaw him the shoots and bring them all down. Thomas Hall came in yesterday and lifted his note and payed a small account found on the books amounting in all to about $10.00. When you come down I want you to give me a little insight in to the books; for Cousin Sam makes such a blow about having so many women and so many men's families and so many men's business on his hands. I do not want to have to trouble him much. He has done nothing for us yet but puff around after corn and come in and eat dinner with us every day except two since you left. 

Every thing is quiet, and since the Lincoln insurrection, the patrolls have given loose ranes to the darkies, as they have taken things for they are racing around at a greater rate than they have been for a long time. I hope you will be (home for) Christmas for I shall not like to stay unprotected as we are then unless they are checked. O, you have no idea how desolate I feel all these long - long nights without you. How I long for that strong arm and that faithful bosom on which I have so often rested in security. Now I feel that I am the stay and dependance. If any emergency should come all would look to me. This will be a long-long year to me. True we have spent seven seemingly short years together. This will seem as long as they all have seemed to me. I know you did not leave us because you did not love your home and those at it. I know it was a cross to you: I will for your sake try to do the best I can God helping me; but O it looks dark - so dark any way I consider it. And almost insupportable - when I think of the probability of your never returning. Sometimes I wish we were all in heaven now. Then we would be free from all these trials. The children are always talking about you. Dora says many times in a day "poor pa - poor pa". I do not believe the clothes will be done by the time appointed to start with them. Hayne has not done his duty cutting great may have come and sent for work and had to go without it because it was not cut. If you need anything else from home be sure to let me know so I can send it to you. I will do any thing in my power for your comfort. I hope you will be punctual in writing to your own

loving wife

M.M. Hill

Ras. can tell you the rest of the news. I will have much to tell you when you come and many things to ask you about.

Major Bridgman is here and has been for several days - - he has never panic(?) camps any since Mr. Rogers was here.

Can you come Christmas? Let us know and I will try to get a turkey or a possum or something else for you. I had a letter from James Carnes last week. They had heard a startling account of our troubles and you may guess to what a pitch it wrought them. Jim said he would come dead or alive if needed and he wanted to know immediately. But I must quit for I never get done writing to you. 


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

Archivists:
Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan