No 45  
Des Moines, Iowa, July 5th 1863  
Sabbath afternoon,  
Dear Husband
  Your letter of the 21st of June was received yesterday morning, so it just came in time for me to enjoy a pleasant 4th for when I know you are well and in good spirits I am happy, and can enjoy myself at such a gathering as we had on the 4th.  I came in from Robinsons yesterday morning very early, just beyond B F Allens farm, between that and where J. B. Tiffin lives, we passed a rough looking man, who when we got just opposite to him hallowed "hurrah for Copperheads", John answered by saying Copperheads in the most cutting tone, just as we had got past him, he pointed a pistol or revolver, I don't know which, at us and snapped it, John and Becca a girl that lives at Robinsons heard it and looked round, I did not hear it, I don't  think it was loaded for John saw the smoke, and if it had been of course we would not have seen smoke at the explosion of the cap.  If we could have found out who he was we would have had him arrested, I think from the way he acted he was drunk, but you know a pistol or revolver is a dangerous weapon in the hands of a drunken Copperhead. suffice it to say that our little adventure created quite a sensation among our friends in town.  The celebration went off very pleas-
