Folded letter sheet. 3 cent US postage stamp.
Manuscript postmark:
       Franklin Ky May 1/62
Addressee:
       Jo L Weir Esq, Winnebago City Minnesota

Letter:

Brick Castle April 1862
Brother Joe,
       I received you letter bearing date March 21st 1862, about two weeks ago directed to brother J. and as he cannot answer it I will try, but first let me say that I have not seen him since last October. I heard from him in February. He was well and in good spirits. Marion Asply was with him. I had anticipated all you said in reference to politics, decline of real estate produce & We never had a better crop of all kinds in this section of country than we had last year and we could realize the following figures up to the retreat of the confederate army. From Bowling Green 50 to 60 cents for corn $1.00 to $1.50 for wheat, 9 to 10 cents gross per pork and at the same rate for beef. Horses and mules were high. We had to pay about double on an average for dry goods and groceries. Since that time, I had heard of no sales of produce or stock except tobacco which is worth about 8 cents around in the hand. Dry goods and groceries about the same except salt which has greatly declined. Last winter was unusually warm, and this spring unusually wet. Farmers are very late getting in their crops. The wrolbs are green though the leaves are not grown. In reference to the battles that have been fought, I can give you very little information from the first out break. I have endeavored to stay at home and tend to our business. I can give you nothing more than the common news paper reports and they are very contradictory. For instance at Pittsburgh Tennessee the North claim a great victory. The South also claims victory. Beauragard sent a dispatch to Richmond in which he states that after gaining a victory capturing 8000 men and a large amount of property he fell back to Corinth which place he was fully able to hold. The Federal war department has authorized the contradiction of the above report and thus the matter stands. You have a better chance to get a correct report than I have for I never see a southern news paper and get northern papers very irregularly. I have tried to get a correct report of several of the late battles but have failed, that is the reports that I get are contradictory.
       Myself and family are well, also our friends generally. Our children are growing very fast and we think they are some... Willie Jo can run about where ever he pleases and begin to talk some. Molli is as mischievous as her uncle George ever was. Emma is a lively intelligent child and can wash the dishes for her Ma.
       I have heard several reports from the armies south of Nashville since I commenced writing. One of which is that the Federal Army has been defeated and another one that they have been successful. There is something up but I can’t tell what. This is the fourth letter I have written to you since the reopening of the Post Office at Franklin and have received from you except the one directed to brother J.. Write soon and often. Sophia unites with me in sending our love to you all the family and friends.

From the Collection of Leslie Hamilton Smith Provenance: a treasured family heirloom