(No l5)
  Old Indianola Texas  Jan 24th 1864
  My Dear Wife:  It is with pleasure I tak an opportunity this beautiful Sabbath day to respond to your precious letter of the 25th Dec.  I received it a few days since but had written a short time before.  This is one of your finer letters & I prize such missives above all other papers I have - your letters all exhibit the true woman to such a high degree that I feel a conscous pride in being the possessor of such a heart.  And the Photograph!.  Do I recognize it at once?  I most certainly did, for it is true to the life & I thank you many times for it as well as for your kind & wifelike letter.
 I attended church to day at 10 1/2 & enjoyed an excellent discourse from the 138th Psalm 7th verse by the Chaplain of the 21st Iowa.  He is a Baptist Miister.  He says he is well acquainted with Bro Nash - I had an introduction to him to day but do not Just now remember his name.  I will give his name befor I close.  He was followed by a venerable Old Gentleman resident here in appropriate remarks - O how I wish you could have witnessed the calm & quiet scene.  He rose with a slow & humble yet dignified appearance, he is a verry old man with long - white flowing beard hanging quite over his breast his hair whitened perhaps by four score years, & combed smooth hung in waves over his shoulders - in contrast with his flush and health countenance, his keen blue eyes sparkling with that peculiar to those who have the love of God & good will to all men.  I wish I knew more of his history.  I have seen him walking about his garden with two fine looking young women, either his Grand daughters or Great Grand daughters.  Altogether I have enjoyed this Sabbath verry well & this evening I will attend church at the same place, if not hindered by buisness
