Your kind letter of the first inst. Was received last evening and I can assure you it gladdened my heart. Dear Wife, your kind letters send thrills of pleasure to my heart and help to nerve me for duty to that extent that I feel assured that you will improve every favorable opportunity to write. But I do not forget the task that it is for you to write on account of your eyes, and when I receive such a long letter and so well-written I appreciate it more highly on account of the labor it cost you. I do not forget you, Ursula, and you are remembered in my prayers. I feel a considerable solicitude for you, but I commit you to the care of our heavenly Father. If you had not written but half as much as you did I would not have thought it strange on account of your eyes. I would like to hear from you as often as convenient even if it were but a few lines. I do not mention this for fear that you will neglect it by any means, but your letters are so prized by me that a few lines would be highly prized at any time. I hope that if your limb troubles you, you will get the best medical advice that you can even though it took all that we can make to pay the expense. But I hope that it does not trouble you. In regard to tools I do not think that there are many on the place that belong to anyone but Frank or myself. I do not recollect about the rake but think likely enough that I borrowed one of Mr. Smith's and forgot to carry it back if they are positive about it let them have one, as I could not say now. I lent Mr. Smith a plough a short time before I left. Has he brought it back? The beetle and wedge that used to go back and forth so much ñ the beetle I believe belongs to Frank, and the wedge to Mr. Smith.
Has Mr. Greaves brought back the cable that he borrowed? I was highly pleased to learn that you straightened things up so well since I left. Probably if I had been at home the potatoes would not have been so well tended.
(Then follows some material that of itself does not enlighten a reader as to what it is all about but of course must have been understood by both of the correspondents. Therefore I take the liberty of omitting it in this copy.)
I am still in the hospital as nurse. Did not have so much to do for a day or two back. My health is pretty good. It is raining and I hope that the weather will be cooler soon. In fact it is on rainy days. Pray, Ursula, for the soldiers that they may turn from their evil practices that so many are led into. There are some that came down the time I did that are professors, (of Ch.) and a few of us had prayer-meeting one night. Last Sabbath I attended church and heard an excellent sermon by one of the Chaplains.
The Chaplain of our regiment is not with us at present. We are to have regular meetings in this place on the Sabbath, that is, in one of the churches by some of the chaplains. I have made rather a poor job in penmanship of this letter but as my pen and ink are not very good please make some allowance. Howard and Ziba Goss are on detached service at Little Rock. Tell Grace that Levi's taking care of sick soldiers, and she must throw kisses at him and the soldiers.
Now, Ursula, take the very best care of yourself. Hoping that this will find you well I subscribe myself as ever,
Your affectionate husband,
Levi Emery.
Via Memphis.
Love to friends.
