that they could not go it would be very unpleasant for them here, more so for father than the rest of us, it seems that the men try make it as inconvenient as possible for him throw down his feed troughs, and build fences so as to cause him to go a great deal farther to do his feeding, when it would be no inconvenience to them to have it otherwise; the old adage is a good one that, one house can not be made large enough for two families. Father did not get home till about dark, when we saw him coming, Emma ran to to light the lamp for I knew I should get a letter; as soon as I had read it myself, of course the rest wanted to hear it; Aunt Sarah is here visiting, she got close to me so as to hear every word; I wish you could see with what anxiety they all gather 'round to hear your letters, you could realize how much they love you, and their anxiety for you.  O, how earnestly we all hope and pray that you may be kept from danger the few months that you have to serve.  Long before this reaches you, you will have heard of the gloirous victory, the surrender of Richmond. Some are so sanguine as to think that the war will end in two months at the farthest. It surrendered on Monday morning at 8:15 and they got the news at Desmoines at 10 1/2.  We, father, Emma, Ross and
