Lyle March 3d /63 
No 21st 
Iron Mountain Mo. Mar 3rd 1863 
My Dearest.  I have received your of No 25 And by the way you are several Nos ahead of me.  I did not write to you from the time we left West Plains until we came to near Pilot Knob for the reason that there was no certainty of an outgoing mail.  I however wrote to Cy -  I believe at Thomasvill, & I think more than likely the letter went out, tell me whether he has recd it or not & try & get him to answer it.  My health is now verry good.  I am growing quite fleshy. & I guess that after all my talk to you about "my hardships & toils & privation &c, I am unhurt.  I guess I will recover at any rate.  Yet I should dread to undertake the same trip over.  I am verry happy to learn that you are so well. my dear you ought not to indulge in any "hearty cries" about our separation, the war must go on & some wife's husband must go.  I am pleased to learn that you have given up the idea of going into buisness.  I think it is better for you to teach, on many accounts -
