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Feb 5th 1 Oclock P.M.  O! My Dearest I have rec two more of your precious letters, yesterday eve.  O' how happy I am to learn that you are so well & you appear to be in such good spirits too that I am almost ashamed of myself for betraying tokens of discontent, discontent does not express my meaning either.  I would say rather anxiety to see the war progressing more rapidly.  If I could see that in all departments there was vigor & an honest determination on the part of our leading Officers to push forward this war to a successful & an honorable conclusion I would not repine at hardships.  You know that I am constitutionally constructed in mind & by habit that if things do not go my way that I do not enjoy myself as I might otherwise do, I believe the best soldiers for all purposes are those who are passive under all circumstances, men who are willing to be cogs in the great machinery of Government without asking why this or that move or caring, men who are at home wherever they have their hats on, & you know that I have a home a once happy home & I trust that I have a home the hearts & affections of kind friends, whom I hope someday to greet
