in an Almighty arm, who will be a sure protection.  I am going over to Dr. Hulls this afternoon, he intends to start tomorrow, you will see a letter in the Register from him that sounds very well, I guess he is honestly for the union but - some things that he has said might lead persons to believe otherwise.  You will have heard before this reaches you of the Rebel raid into Penn; I must confess I am ashamed of that army of the Potomac, what are they doing to allow the rebels to get away up there; In every paper I see the glorious 23d eulogized, I am pround of Iowa, the fame of her sons daring will be written in history.  I hope what I wrote on the other page will not cause you any anxiety; I thought once I would not write, but you know human sympathy is always acceptable; and you know and understand all about the matter, and care and will sympathize with me; O! do come home soon; it is nine months today since you went away, will another nine months separate us?  I wish you could have heard the sermon this morning, it was one of Bro Nash's best; I hope soon to listen to one of those good sermon with you my dear husband by my side, but this may seem that it is a foregone conclusion that you are to come home, and not acquiesse in your decission if it should be to the contrary; but my paper is almost full and it is time that I was going, hoping that you may be kept and that I will see you ere long.  I will say good bye; write soon and don't apologize for writing on secesh paper, I prize them just as highly as on letter paper, just so that you continue to write often and just your thoughts, ever your own  
Mary
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