institutions, in my mind they are ten fold worse traitors than Arnold, for then the experiment of self government was in its infancy; there is a family in this district that send to my school who hast to leave Missouri on account of the troubles, who are bitter seccionists, they have a daughter whose husband went into the army last winter, and they were so enraged about it that they would not let her come home nor let one of their boys go to cut wood for her in winter, so that she was thrown dependent on strangers; Yesterday during preaching there was a large coarse looking farmer in a red flannel shirt sat beside the preacher; he looked so coarse and was so dark complected, I was comparing him with others, and with my husband; but when the sermon was over, he got up and read a him and talked to us a little while, and then prayed, he did make such a good honest sincere prayer, and  read so earnestly and feelingly for our nation not the soldier that it won my heart right off and I felt like I should like to have an introduction to him, and shake his rough brown hand; if we meet a man or woman now a days that for the government we are friends right off, and that's about the first thing that we find out about a stranger; well my duties call me now, I will write a little more tomorrow before I mail it if I have time. Desmoines, Mr Birds  Saturday 10 1/2 o'clock, Dear Husband where are you today? I see by the papers that the 23rd has been in one or two battles, who are among the killed and wounded? I cant give you any idea of my anxiety, I thought I should have got a letter this morning but was disappointed; O! my dear husband my prayer to God night and day shall be for your safety, I have tried to imagine how I should feel to that you had been in a battle but I find that the reality is painful beyond all im-
