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Home (Groton? October?) 23^rd 1862

Much Respected Friend,

            I am well aware that it is not customary to go so long without answering but I have no time weekdays.  Therefore, I have to take my leisure time on Sabbath day.  I often think I had better bring some of my correspondence to a close but they all seem too dear to me to be broken.  I always endeavor to answer yours first but often times delay writing longer than I should had I time to answer.  Knowing your forgiving heart, trust you will ever excuse long silence and write whenever an opportunity presents itself, will you not? 

            I am not collecting my thoughts.  There is so many around, some telling me what to write, another trying to guess what I have written.  So you can better imagine my condition than I can describe.  I suppose you have heard ere this that Hila and Mrs. Root has gone to Kentucky which was quite a sudden start.  I have often wished I could go to the hospital and take care of the sick.  Oh what a pleasure it would be to me.

            You say you think I am somewhat changed in my opinion.  Yes, I am greatly changed in thought as in regard to enlisting.  But I see the cause and necessity of it more deeply that I once did.  You remember, do you not, how much I opposed your going whenever you spoke of it.  But I feel differently from what I once did.  I shall respect you for it.  I wish I knew what you were doing tonight.  I will think, perhaps, you are thinking of home and friend and wishing you were here.

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            Again I will attempt to finish this short note.  Charles and I have just returned from church.  Baptist meeting had a very pleasant sermon and it is now almost ten o’clock for which time I have in writing is but little.  I learn tonight that Hila & Susan has returned but did not see them.  Hope to soon.

            Nathaniel, I wish you were at home to be with us this winter.  Our company is but few – all gone to defend this country for which I will ever honor.

            I think some of attending school at Hillsdale this winter but have not fully decided as yet.

            N(athaniel), I know I have not written everything that will interest you in the least, but I will promise you a more acceptable one in the future, therefore will weary you no longer.  Please accept my most successful wishes and in meantime, write me often.  Do not be particular in writing – any leisure time you have & I will promise you the same.

            P.S. Do you often think of your friends in Somerset?  There is not a night but what I think of you poor soldiers.  The boys suffer a great deal in the 18^th.  I received two letters from that company last week which I aught to answer tonight.  Your letter appeared rather sad to me but very good.

            A kiss, Mary Williams