St. ? Hospital Saturday May 3, 1862 Dear Sue I didn't get any letter from you since yesterday a week ago, though I am two or three of the people from Bloomington this week. Mr. Hilton is here yet I sent a letter and $5 in it by Mrs. McCollough. I guess you got it before now. We are here yet without any change that I can see for the better. I am sorry to say James is pretty much as has been. His appetite very poor still. If he is any better we don't know it. I wish he was strong enough to come home. We looked for Sis last night. Nick went to the depot thinking perhaps she would come ? but think she may come tonight. I wish I knew for certain. I thought Mr. ? or Mike Hilton might be coming the last of this week or the first of next and that she would come with them. I wish she had come the first of this week, then she could have gone back next week. I hope you have enough to eat and plenty to wear for awhile yet. I ? the cow has a calf by this time. I wish I could get $12 for her. I would sell her. We would make more to by the buying butter and milk and rent the pasture all the way we can make it profitable. It he have pigs and they are too much trouble and then a cow can't be wintered less than $25 or $30 I can't look forward. I don't know what is to our fate. I will write soon again. Yours Truly ? I would send Sis a pair of good shoes not too fine only I am afraid she might be on the road and miss them, so if she is at home and needs them buy them for her not coarse nor too fine fix her up warm enough.