Home, Polk Co. Iowa. March 20th 1865, My Dear Brother. You have been gone a long time. yet I have never written to you.  I hope you will forgive me, for being appearantly so careless.  I hear all you letters to the family (and sometimes portions of Marys) read with deep interest.  We all talk about you every day, and think of you oftener. I am indeed glad to hear you and Marion are enjoying such good health.  While you enjoy health, you can bear the hardships of a soldiers life, even though they are hard.  May the prayrs and sympathies of friends at home help encourage and strengthen you to endure your hardships, and privations.  We are all pretty well but Father.  He is improving but rather slowly.  But I presume Mary has given
