Monday about 4 PM. (Nov 24th) 
Now My Dearest Mary I will write expressly for you.  I did not know but that Fathers or some others might want to hear my letters read. so you will see that I have been more cautions than usual.  Our Own affairs concern us only.  Now with regard to your idea of going into business.  I have studied this matter over carefully & have thought that there were only a few objections to your plans,  the first would be (to my mind) that it might not be a healthy business for you, the second I cannot see as certain that I can render but little assistance, the third I do not want my wife ruled over by any one but myself (you know I am a little inclined to tyranny in this respect) now don't laugh at me)  But to be serious, if you think that you can manage so as not to injure your health, & can borrow the money, & think you will not be ruled over too much, why then I would most gladly concur, for I think you could carry it on if you were manager with profit & honor too.  & I know that you would be happy in rendering me assistance in riding ourselves of debt.  I would sugest that you take a room in some part of the citty where the fashionable portion of the people do "most congregate" & commence in good style, don't be to modest in putting on prices.  I know that you will do your work well, let them pay for it.  If I could only talk with you about it.  it would be so much more satisfactory but I have the fullest confidence in your judgment.  You had better act accordingly.  Yet I love & esteem you all the more for counseling me on your plans even if you have to do it by writing to me.  But I think that in my last letter I gave you about the same advice.  There have been a geat many dispatches to our headquarters to day & Just now the bugle is calling the Officers around the Colonels tent.  There will in all probability be some move made soon.
