No 48) Cottage Home, Iowa Friday Eve, Nov. 4th 1864 My Dear Husband Yours of Oct 20th was received on Wednesday, Libbie and I were up to Desmoines again together and both got letters from our husbands;  I was real glad to hear from you again, I don't know exactly where Duvalls Bluffs are, as we have no good map to refer to, yet I fully realize that you are far enough away from me, and in your last you said you did not expect to come home till the war was over or till next Sept. O! that made me feel gloomy and badly all day for I had been thinking that you would get home some time this fall or winter; I know it will only be ten months from the 19th of this month, but that will seem a long time to a lonely waiting heart; sometimes I think I can not wait patiently, I do want a home so badly; but I will wait, and try to be patient, for not many are blest with as good friends and as pleasant surroundings in every respect as I am, yet there is a void in my life, a longing for a love and sympathy that friends can not give.  But I will be as brave as a soldiers wife ought to be, I know if  you can come home, and think it expedient you will do so; and you doubtless are as anxious to come as I am to have you.  I am so glad to hear that your health is improving, but feel some what anxious about your having sore throat so long
