Hopewell Bluff
March 26th 1862
My own darling wife,
As Mr. Nobles is going home this morning to wait on Mr. Drury who is sick, I thought I would write you and my little Daughter [1] and let you know how 'papa' is getting along. On yesterday Jonnie and myself
walked over to 'White Oak' to see Mother, and thought perhaps I might hear from my own pet wife. But oh! darling, imagine my feelings when we got there, after a walk of five miles, to find the house locked up and not a soul to welcome me back to the home I long so much to be at. Never before have I had such sad feelings. I tried to get into our old room but that too would not give me admittance. But dear wife our troubles will have an end some of these days; then we can return to our dear old home to live and breathe out our lives in sweet communion of spirits forever.
Darling do you know that the measles and whooping cough are both in our neighborhood? If Eula [1] gets them, I am afraid they will kill her. So you had better be very careful how you let strange children see her. Mr. John Hull's children and Mr. David Scarlett's have the whooping cough, and they will be moving up your way before long.
I don't know when I will be able to make you a visit, but hope to do so on Sunday or Monday next.
Now darling in conclusion let me beg you for my sake and for Eula's, do take good care of your dear self.
Goodbye darling, kiss my dear little baby for papa a thousand times, and tell her to give Mamma as many for me. Your own devoted husband
Nate.
[1] Eula was born March 12, 1862, so she was just 2 weeks old when this letter was written.