No 4 Cottage Home, Iowa Sabbath Morning Dec 18th /64 My Dear Husband, Since writing you a week ago I have received two letters from you, 25th and 29th of Nov.  In the first you wrote of being sick, and I fear you did not tell me the worst, O! how much I should like to be hear you to nurse you, and read to you when lonely in your tent, but that privilege is denied me, and I can not hear from you for three weeks after your letters are written; but I don't feel as uneasy as I should have done had I got but one letter this or last week, in yours of the 29th you say you are much better, and your throat freer from soreness than it has been for 3 or 4 months, which news is very cheering, but I think it imprudent in you to go on duty so soon after being sick when doubtless there are other men not half as ill are excused and you have always been at your post, so that your superior (?) officers will not censure you for taking care of your health when 'tis necessary.  And if your throat does not get better I would try to get a resignation through by Spring, for I fear such a protracted soreness in  your throat, will cause a disease of the Trachea and finaly your lungs; and much as I love my Country I cant reconcile myself to the thought that my husband life and health are to be sacrificed; and if by resigning you can save your health, there are others that can fill your
