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  Des Moines, Saturday Evening, June 20th, Dearest Husband
  I came in yesterday evening and staid all night at Mrs Reichenkers.  I looked some for a letter from you today.  In the report of the killed and wounded it was said that it was only a partial report and I shall feel anxious to know from you; as I came in yesterday I stopped at Dr Hulls a few minutes to my umble and fan that I had left there; he told me that Downs was killed in the same breath he said I am going to try to get Lyle in to his place, I thought it looked a little heartless to begin to speculate on his successor before he is cold, but I suppose that is the way they do in military life; I don't know that I should rejoice to hear that you had a Capt commission, only that I know that you deserve it; for there are so many officer killed in proportion to their number than privates, but if it is Gods will to spare you I suppose you will be as safe there as in the ranks; now about coming home if you don't think it will endanger your life or seriously impare your health to come home and go back in the hot weather, I want you to come, O I do want you to come so much, but just as you think best as I said once before, I got a letter from Mary Hedge this week; among other things she said that Aunt Fannie, Mrs H-----se's brother's wife wanted to know of her where, Mary was, and that Mrs H-----n had threatened to sue Uncle for her support as long as she lived if the did not tell her where Mary was; Mrs Hedge assured me that she (Hunt) would be none the wiser of M whereabouts from her, and if I wished them to know to write to them.  I answered her letter right and said that I did not wish them to know, and for them to be careful, Mrs Hedge can keep anything as long any person.  Uncle William Henderson is a good man and would be my friend but he has a grasping close fisted, artful wife; who would sacrifice Mary without any compunctions of concience if she thought there was any possibility of Uncle loosing 10,00 through her; I perhaps ought not to have written this to you, but it weighs very heavily on my mind, and you know you are my only confident in the matter; I have written in a rather singular style, but I guess you will understand it; if it should fall into the hands of those that know the parties they perhaps could not could not; O! if you were only here, the partner of my hearts deepest thoughts; May God preserve you my dear dear Husband that we may live long together.  Sabbath afternoon Dear Husband I received yours of the 8th written after the battle, O! how thankful I am that you are again preserved.  I thank you for writing so punctually; God has for some wise purpose doubtless, kept through so many scenes of danger, I told Mr Robinson that I had heard from you this morning, and that you had come out without a scratch, he remarked that, "I do believe God will preserve that good man" I did thank for those words how fearfully severe the engagement at Milliken must have been; Every battle you are in the more anxious I am to have you come home; but I don't want to be unreasonable but I feel if I should never see you after all you have endured, it would kill me; but my dear Husband put your trust
