My Dear Wife

With great pleasure and joy, does the news I receive today, inspire your husband – To know that my darling is safe, and my baby too, seems almost too much happiness for one day {- I have been much} worried about you pet – but now I am happy, too happy almost; only one draw back, I can’t come and see you – I want you to be quiet and not fret – Don’t fret about me – I am doing well enough, only a little home sick just now – I want you to be very careful, not to get ahead too fast at once – but take good care of our little stranger –

I have taken the liberty to name it, knowing that my Pet, would acquiesce It is to be Elizabeth Adeline Davis Bradlee – with your consent

Elizabeth for your Mother, Adeline for my Mother, Davis for Mrs. Saml. Bradlee the child’s great grandmother There is a good name for you – Pet – not much too long is it? There is some talk of our joining General Bank’s Texas Expedition, and if we do, we shall leave here, and go to the Expedition Head Quarters at Centerville Race Course New York State – This will bring me nearer home, and I shall try for a furlough of a few days, to come home and see you if we go there – Wouldn't you like that Pet? I would like to have you see our climate here – We had a severe snow storm here last {Sunday all day and} it was colder than I ever knew it at home, at this season – It is a little warmer this week although very cold – I have not yet got my valise etc. – Suppose I shall sometime –

Kiss the little one for me, and our little big one Sammie – don’t let any noses get out of joint – I will write again soon, but now I am very short of time being Sergt. of the Guard and within a few days a new law has been made here, for the Sergt. to post his own guard {every two hours, this} keeps me very busy in addition to my other duties –

Your loving & affectionate husband

Joseph