Letter from Jennie Reed to Samuel B. Reed, October 11, 1863

In this letter from October 11, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, describing the progress of the harvest on their farm. She states that his enlisted brother, Erastus H. Reed, is still well, but that many believe Colonel Frederick A. Bartleson was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga.

Joliet.
Oct 11th. 1863

Dear Samuel.

I wrote you last Sunday but since I have not had my usual letter this week. Feel in doubt if I should write or not. I suppose you are in Otumwa [sic] most of the time & it requires more time for your letters to reach me. The local farm news is that our thrashing was completed last night at dark. There is about six hundred bushels of oats and over a hundred of wheat.

This week we designed to put the [house] to rights for winter. [Hous &] do a little or freeze. I received a letter from Mrs. Ainsworth stating that they would arrive here upon the Thursday the 15th morning train. They will probably spend the remainder of the week. I shall send this [wall] in hopes that you can come here to visit with Mr. Ainsworth. I shall look for you. I went to Chicago the day of the excursion. Met Mr. [Kellogg], had a nice time considering it rained hard all day after our arrival there.

[Sam] received a letter from Eloya to day [sic] . There is but little to learn of him, more than we have already learned. Erastus has written to Rollin. He is well. I fear Col. Bartleson fell unnoticed, and as the Rebels possessed the ground he was no doubt buried en-masse with the slain. This is the feeling with some since we have received letters from the surgeon Dr. Woodrufs who was taken prisoner, and he does not mention Col. Bo. being a prisoner and he mentions many other [?]. Capt. Ellwood is safe and talks of resigning. The children are well and send love & kisses. Come home if possible it has been nearly 4 weeks. How I wish for you upon these pleasant autumn days.

Yours in love
Jennie E. Reed.