think 'twould be a capital idea?  I would pay my board, which would not be as much as at a starangers, and if I could not entirely clothe myself, it would help a little.  I would at least pay my board and I would be near church and Sabbath school; you know it would be very lonely for me at Austins.  I am sorry that you are so far away that I can't consult your wishes in reference to all matters before acting, but as it is I cannot. Thursday Morning Feb 23,  My dear husband.  I am very sorry that I could not have finished this sooner, but we have been so very busy moving that I could not find time, I know you will think it a long time between letters as I do if mine are delayed a day or two too long on the way.  Yesterday evening I received No 63, finished the 13th of this month, it was only nine days reaching me, came sooner, or in a shorter time than any I have ever received from that distance; I am so happy to hear that your health is so much better.  I hope with care you may get through the sickly season, and 'tis not quite seven months now I count the days as they pass, and I think somebody else does too; I have understood that there has a law passed to muster out all officers with the men regardless of the time of their promotion, so you will have no trouble about getting out in Sept; It does seem too bad that you don't get any pay, some of the men and their families must be needing it badly.  I do want to see New Orleans so bad, I do wish you could be stationed there and I could go down, for I never expect to see it after the war is over and we get settled.  But maybe this will vex you for me to be wishing to go south don't think of it a moment for I suppose it is impossible.  Mc is stationed at New Madrid and Mary has gone down; the war is not very hard on them.  But the time will soon roll round if your life is only spared, but many dangers must be met, and every day you are liable to lose your life, but I will hope as I ever have that your life will be spared to me and your friends.  Do you go to New Orleans often or have you to stay with the Co. all the time, I suppose you will stop there on your way to Mobile, I think it strange that you are ordered there, we have heard
