March 5th 1865
Dear Husband
I received your
letters last night I was very
glad indeed to hear from you
I am glad you are well and
pray god you may enjoy good
health we are all well at pre
sent I enjoy good health these
few days I felt very bad
indeed after you went away
for a long time I removed
that glass we were talking
about and I feel much
better you must not be
uneasy about it I am not
afraid I feel assured god
will take care of us and
you and bring you safe back
we pray much for you little
Ellie must have me read
the Bible every night and pray
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for you only keep in good
spirits and write often and
pray much you know every
thing works together for good
to them that love god
in another place he [says?]
his grace is sufficient
for thee I know you will
try to do good and pray for
us too you are scarcely
ever out of my my mind
when I eat I think of you
too the children have
been very good since you
went away they want
you to come home on
furlough as soon as you
can I would like to see you
very much myself but I know
it would be just as hard
to part again as at first
Ellie wants to see you but she is
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very contented Lizzie can read
we have have had a good
deal of snow and rain since
you left It is very cold to
day you cannot see the
bare ground yet our
clock is doing finely yet
and is great company
for me I got a beautiful
wash kettle a[t] ditches sale
Adam fouse got it for me
I will soon have to close
it is after four oclock
Josh is waiting on this letter
David is going to Holliday
burg to morrow I will send
it along and also for your
money and clothes and now
my dear Fleet you must keep
in good heart it will all
come right in the end keep
youself warm as you can I
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I think much of you these
rainy night and days
whether you have got a
any shelter or not and now
I give you into gods care
who is able to keep you
from all harm good by
your affectionate wife
Mary Benson
I send you a paper
I received in you name