Your very kind favor of the 10th inst. Is before me, having been received today. I read with regret that you and Edwin had been so miserable. I am sorry that I have been the means of so deeply grieving your heart by being induced to drink ale.
I suppose that I did wrong in indulging at all but in the same letter in which I informed you in regard to it, I expresses my intention to break it off ( which I did if my recollection serves me right). I hardly see Dear Sula, why you feel so deeply grieved.
Perhaps you think that I was in the habit of frequenting the saloons, and there induced to drink. It was not at saloons, for rest assures that I detest saloons and groggy loafers.
The ale was some that was part of the Sanitary Commission's stores and it was received at the time we were working hard, and for several days I was more or less wet, and sometimes having wrung my pants at night and placed them on the foot of my bead, in a fireless room, for them to dry what they could during the night. I was induced to overcome my scruples far enough to imbibed ale. I can say Ursula, and say truthfully that at any time I did not drink so much that I had to hold on to the lamp post or anything of the kind. I hope that I never again will pain you by taking a single glass more of ale. (This pledge was faithfully kept by Father for the rest of his life.)
If anything of the sort should be ordered by Physicians as necessary, I feel assured that my reasonable and loving wife would not object to my following their prescriptions.
I received a letter from Mother today. She says that her lungs are weak and that she has a hacking cough. I hope that it is not caused by any seated disease. I conclude to send you her letter. It is my very earnest prayer that her health may be restored, and that we may have the benefit of her kind and Christian advice for many, many long years.
Please give my kindest regards to Father and Mother. As it is such a task for them to write, it would not be right for me to expect it form them, but I feel assured that I have their fervent prayers, and God grant that I may ever conduct myself, (trusting in Christ for strength), that they may never be ashamed to own me as their son. I think likely that those recently drafted will not be wanted.
'They say So' is actively engaged in the new business, but as I do not know exactly what to believe, I am not prepared to communicate much news, so you will please excuse my dry letters. Please give my regards to the folks, I hope this will find you improved in health.
From Your Affectionate Husband
Levi Emery
Duvall's Bluff, Ark. Co. G. 3rd Minn.
