Dear Mother ,

How are you. I am fine but outraged. The children and Alice are well too. I can not believe that the North decided the elect Abraham Lincoln for their new president. This will definitely make things interesting. Maybe this civil war is coming faster than we expected. I am nervous for my family who will take of them because I have decided that if they need naval officers I will enroll. I don’t think that we are ready but the government has been very secretive about weaponry and the upcoming war. If you want to you can come and stay with us you can we have plenty of room. I have heard a lot of men talking about forming a group that will take care of the wives and children who are soldires. Sending my love. Hope to see you soon.

Your Son, 

            John oxo