.MTE0NA.MjA2OA

[Elkora?] 10th Jan’y 1860

Dear Ran,

Thank you for your letter which came to hand today with much pleasure. I adopt your suggestion of applying to it. From 9 ‘til dusk I am busy in the “Stripping room” – stopping only long enough to swallow my dinner. But one of the most pleasant occupations for these long

                 in 

winter evenings is ^ an occasional letter to absent friends; and if ideas come as freely as my ink flows, I could send you any number of sheets!

I hope there may be nothing to prevent your getting back before the next meeting of the “Bold Soldier Boys.” I am not the less convinced of the value and importance of our undertaking, by than when I first proposed it – Reflection only strengthens me in the belief that every consideration of prudence and independence demand that the Southern people should place themselves on the best possible footing as to military efficiency.

The next meeting will determine whether we can get up a volunteer Company in this neighbourhood, or whether the project must be abandoned for the want of the Requisite number of signatures [to?] our Constitution. Col Wilson will be there to superintend the election of Officers.

Will you get besides the samples of [ ? ] cloth, some of

[Pg 2]

red & some of the Flannel. Also, if you can, a pattern of a hunting shirt – find out quantity of materiel necessary

                            & other trimmings

for it – kind of buttons ^ suitable – whether the Military button would suit.

My plan for a uniform is this

Pants – grey – with stripe of black cloth an inch or more wide – hunting shirt or jacket of red flannel or cloth trimmed with black.

Cap – of blue cloth – similar to the Army or Navy Cap.

There seems little hope of our being furnished with Rifles – they being too costly. One of our county men told me the other day that Gov Wise had told the Lieut of the [Co..ouse?] Compy, that the “star of Russia” couldn’t furnish rifles to all the vol: [co’s?]!

I was in Carterville [ ? ] [years?] preaching around on the Volunteer question! I procured a few additional names to our roll – and a list of 8 or 10 [women?] – 20 or 25 $ [ ? ] the fund.

        not

I have ^ been through Ampthill since that day Mr [Punish?] told me he had several on the sick list. He came over, according to appoint- ment to help me get ice on tuesday, but the ice being [run?] thick and owing to my not stopping

                                                                                                 house

to break it up, I had managed to get my ^ al- most full. But my obligations to you are as great as if he had [put?] in every pound. So I told him I didn’t like to disregard the [ ?] [given?] by Hercules to all men who have a [ ? ] to get out of the mine.

[Pg 3]

There is nothing stirring in our vicinity – have not been to see any of our friends since you left. The [Cliftonians?] are staying all night at [Woodborne?] – and are coming to see us tomorrow. The ground was so slippery on Sunday that I did not venture to church. We did not hear of Pol’s affliction til after we saw you. Please give our love and christian sympathy to Ben & herself.

Present us most affectionately to [M...ill?] and Cousin Elfin; the boys’ also, for I suppose they are at home.

Will you let me trouble you to call on my friend Bob Wms on your return thro’ Richmond – for my watch [ ? ]? (E H [Skinder?] & Co – [leary?] St – below Pearl)

Alice sends you much love.

Good bye & believe [ ? ] attached friend and Cousin CHH

P.S. Ask [Ellett?] & [Weiseiger?] what they will furnish those caps at!