Magie, James K. to Mary Magie

James K. Magie to Mary Magie
Franklin, Tennessee, 20 March 1863.
Autograph letter signed, 4 pages.

March 20/ 63
Franklin, Tenn. March 20, '63
My dearest love
I received your letter No 9 two days ago, but have found it inconvenient to write until now. I have sent you by express, March 17, another package of $50. which will make $100 that we ought to put somewhere on interest. I sent you in my last letter $2. for your own private use. I don't know as I shall have an opportunity to make much more money. A government mail agent has now been appointed and he brings out all the mails for this place. I suppose I can continue to keep up a little speculation by which I can make one or two dollars a day, and perhaps more. The boys are now making preparations to express [2] home their overcoats, extra blankets, etc., and they will employ me to see to it, by which I expect to make a few dollars. I think by about the middle of April I can send you another $50, and perhaps a V or X for yourself or for your own immediate use. I am somewhat puzzled to know just where to put this $100 so that we can get it again on call. I would like to buy up the Randolph claim if I could get it for $100. You say it would be as well to let the house go for the debt. I would do so if Randolph would take it, but he can sell the house, for perhaps $50 and that would be only so much paid on the debt- I would still be indebted to him for the balance. I have written to further to ask him to make an offer to Randolph of $75 or $100 for the whole [3] claim, but I can get no letter from Lerre Haute. I think I shall try and get a furlough to some home in May or June if the war should not close before that time. There seems to be considerable confidence of late in the army that the war will not continue through the summer. I really hope that it will not. The rebels are in a deplorable condition, and in some localities are actually starving to death. The rebels on our front are quite lively just now. They have been largely reinforced of late, and report says they contemplate an attack on us. We are pretty strongly fortified here at Franklin. We are taking a few prisoners every day, and some times we lose a few. Yesterday we lost 33 men who were out on a scout, but we took about the same number. Those that we take give a sorry picture of matters [4] in rebeldom. They are ragged, hungry and dirty.
You wrote that you had received a note from the Philadelphia Post master that there was a letter to your address detained there for postage, and that if you would send a one cent stamp it would be forwarded. You were mistaken about the one cent stamp. Your notice read that if you would send one three cent stamp together with the notice sent you the letter would be forwarded. Your letter will not be sent until that is complied with.
You ask about the tobacco. I sold it for about $2.50. The likeness I sent home by Ms. B.
I have told you that I have been unwell of late with a severe cold. I am getting better, but I cough considerably yet.
I got yesterday two papers that you sent me last November.
Please continue to write often and much oblige your ever affectionate husband
James K Magie