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In a hastily written letter, Addie reassures Charlie that she has both received letters from him and sent weekly letters to him. She comments upon her daily activities (tea, Lodge, Lyceum), mentions mutual friends and family (Hal and Laurie), and wishes Charlie a belated Merry Christmas.
"If any one attempts to haul down the
American Flag, shoot him on the spot." --
(JOHN A. DIX.)
Thanks for
your kind and welcome letters
which have but latelyreceived
I am surprised that you
have not heard from me
for so long a time. I have
written, I may say, weekly
I do not doubt but
that somelettersare at Charleston.
I have not written but
one since I heard that
you had left Charleston owing to the fact that
I did not know your
address. But away to other
subjects. I have just been to
Dear Charlie I have just
returned from Mr. Hegless.
Sadie Hegless wished me to
go to Lyceum with her tonight.
I willnow try to finish this
uninteresting sheet. Dear Charlie
I cannot concentrate my thoughts
tonight and you may think
this a rather unceremonious letter
but I imagined that you
would be anxious to hear
from me and that I would
strive to write.
How shall I thank you,dear brother for your kindness in sending that sketch. Remember that your gifts are treasured and I trust that the day may come when you may see [Page "3"/] 
them again. Our Lodge is slowly prospering, orI suppose it is. I have not attended it for two months. I guess I should enjoy it very much -- but I am so far away from it that I can not get there. I find in the columns of the news papers that General Kelly's command is marching towards Winchester. I suppose you are under his command.
May our blessed Father protect thee from all danger. Nothing else can protect youmybrother. I wrote a very painful (to me) letter to you and sent it to Warren for Captain Wood to take to you. I have some strange thoughts dear Charlie at times. Laurie sits here. She says put down"and, thi go backC thershe did that
Did I hear you say "How do
you like your school? Oh, real well
I shall go to Oberlin in February
if nothing prevents then I shall
be in my elements.
Hal's letter that he wrote
under the straw stack, I
had the gratification to read this
morning. Ido hope that this cruel war will soon close and restore our much loved friends to our aching hearts. Laurie says send a bushel of done up in Cris kringle's hat. I guess I will have to wish you Merry Christmas, it may be rather late. Laurie won't let me rest til I ask you if you got intoxicated when you leftC Hal wrote in his letter to the Democrat that a great many were intoxicated at that time. I presume you will be obliged to answer it for her sake.
1Last week I received two letters from you and one yesterday.
I would that I could hear as often every week.
2Please excuse all mistakes and poor writing
for I am in great haste
as it is late.