Now my Dear write to me about once a week if you can if it is to much for you or you have no time, you need not write so much, but every line you can write to me is precious tell me all about your prospects, & whether you enjoy yourself in town as well as you could out on a farm. or not.  I feel anxious to get on a farm once more  The news to here is that. New Madrid has been evacuated by our forces, the Magazine blown up, &c.  I don't know whether there were any prisners taken or not, 6 companies of the 32' were there. it may be that T.C. McColl has been taken, the papers say also that we have taken Vicksburg. & that the Mississippi is open clear though, if it be so the rebellion is pierced though & must die.  O I hope so, how happy I should be to know that by early spring the war would be over & I could go home & take you in my arms, again & let you nestle your head on my breast as you used to do, may our Father speed the happy day, again good bye my precious Mary
