Pikeville Tenn.
Feb. 16, 1862

My beloved husband,

Mr. Rogers will leave early in the morning for Knoxville. I do not know that you will be there; but will send this note any how. We have heard that the Linconites intend coming in at Cumberland gap, so I thought perhaps your order to Gainsborough would be countermanded. I have no doubt now that you will have to fight some before the war is at an end. When you first enlisted I solaced myself with the belief that there would not be much more to do. I have now given that idea up. These truly are trying times. The struggle for liberty seems to be a hard one. If the southern people had arms they could do better. But I have no fears of their being conquered. Sometimes I feel confident you will spaired and returned to us. At other times I feel fearful you will not. O, I do want to see you so, I feel as if I cannot be deprived of the privalidge much longer. 

This has seemed a long day to me. Father preached at the church but the day was so cold but few were there. I stayed at home with the children. Net wanted to stay; but Will was going to stay too and they fuss and tease the children. I was unwilling to leave them. I have thought often of you. I had your likeness down showing it to the children this evening. Lu said "Pa looks like he wants to see us"! They all looked very lovingly at it. Dora says "My pa", "man pa". She makes a funny out (of) talking - - calls her brother Walter Shropshire - "buber Hoga Hopash". Ras says it sounds (like) Jo's German verb.

I know you want to see your darlings. Walter is a bright boy and very much admired. If God spairs us till the war is over I know we will again be happy - - perhaps more so than we have been heretofore - - for we will be better able to appreciate home enjoyments. I am not undergoing hardships and privations as you are; yet I feel anxious about you and the general state of affairs and your absence from home prevents my enjoying the comforts we have. I never go to bed hardly without think(ing) of you and wishing you were as comfortabbly situated or you were here to enjoy our good warm fires which your own arrangements provided for us.

It is now after ten o'clock. Father has just started at this late hour of the night to baptise John Ranken. He is on the verge of the grave. Two black men came after father. I am very anxious to hear from you again. Do write often if you only write a little. Do not forget to pray for your loving wife and babes.

M.M. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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