No. 25  Des Moines, Iowa
  Saturday Eve, Feb 21st /63
  Dear Husband,  
I have just come home, Mrs R, & I have been down town spending the day. It is just five months today, & the question rises will you be gone another five months? I try to hope for the best, we have no news today; I have been in town since Tuesday last, I received three letters from you that day, one of them was written before the one I recd last so that I have got all of your letters but one, the ones I got last were numbered 14, 16 & 17. Mr. R. is scolding us to bed, so I must say good night. Monday Morning Feb 23rd good morning Dear Husband, O how I long to know where you are, your last letter Feb 1st is the latest news that I have with regard to the whereabouts of the regiment, and as you said you are going away so far, that communication will be difficult or entirely off, O how many anxious
