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U. S. S. Steamer Housatonic
Off Charleston 15th Feb 1863

My Dear Little Molly

I put
a letter into the mail bag
this afternoon for Mother, but
I did not have time to write
this one to you before the
men carried the mail bag
off, to send it home. So I sup-
pose that this will have to
waite & go in the next one.
Let me see, what shall
I write to you about?
I suppose that you will want
to know if we see any birds, or
butterflies now. Well we have'nt
seen any butterflies since last
fall, but the other day, when
it was very warm & pleasant
a pretty little bird came
to see us, & staid with us some
time. It was not quite so large

as a robin & had a bright
yellow spot on its back & all
the rest of its feathers were brown.
It seemed to feel very much
at home, & hopped about on
the deck & picked up crumbs
for some time. After it
had eaten all it wanted,
it flew up into the rigging
& then flew off to the shore
& we have not seen in since.
Perhaps when it is warm
in E. Boston next summer,
it will come & see you &
Nellie & Mother. But then
if there are two or three that
look just like that one
you wont know which one
it is, will you? Well some
time next summer I
guess that I shall come
to see you, and I suppose
that you will be almost as glad to see me as
to see the bird, wouldnt
you? By that time, if you
go to school all the time, you
will know how to read to me,
& you will get to be large enough
to help Mother do a good many
things about-house. I wonder
if I shall know either of
my little girls then, for I suppose
that your old bonnets that you
wore last year are about worn
out & you will have on some
other ones & some dresses too,
that I never have seen.
Well I guess that Mother
will tell me who you are, if
I can't find you myself.
I want you to send me another
letter when Mother has time
to write it for you & you & Nellie
can print some & send it to me.
You can send me some of your drawings too & tell
me all about your plays.
But it is time for me to
stop & fold this up & put
my pen & ink away, for
it is almost my bed time.
Give my love to Mother
& Nellie & a good kiss & hug
too.

My Dear Nellie

Tuesday morn 17th. We are
now underway for the "Ironsides"
& expect to get some vegetables from
a schooner that came in yesterday.
Very likely we shall leave a
mail & perhaps get one. If one
goes I shall send this just to
let you know that I am
in my usual good health & that
we are all right side up &
above water. I have no
news in particular to give
& therefore will not spin a
"long yarn" as it is a busy time
of day with me. Remember
me with love to all friends
not leaving yourself & the little ones
out.