I do not try to drive the thought from my mind, for there is as a strong a probability that I shall be one of that number as of any one; Mother was very anxious for me to read your letter, but I could not control my feeling sufficiently to read any but the descriptive part; It is two weeks tomorrow since it was written & you may have passed the crisis, evevry hour will be constant suspense - till I hear you are safe, I thank you for writing your feelings so freely on the eve of this great battle, if this should be the last, it would be a source of invaluable comfort to me; all your letters are carfully preserved & almost I was going to say valued alongside with my bible & I don't know but I should have told the truth for I don't prize that Holy Book as I ought to, it should be the main of our council & the guide of all our ways, and I have no doubt that you renew you strength often by reading the words of encouragement & promise in that inspired volume; both as I am to do so I will have to stop writing, for it is a pleasure to write you, but tired nature is calling loudly for rest, I have done a very large washing today and am very tired; so good night. 
Des Moines, Thursday April 30th  My dear Husband, again I seat myself to address you; this sheet of paper has traveled round a good deal since it began to talk to you; I had not expected to have been here today, I saw Mr. Robinson Sunday & he said that the school board had authorized him to hire a teacher for three months for $20.00 per month & I suppose I will have to hire my board, that will cost me about four
