My very dear Friend,

     Your little book of a letter reached me on Sunday and I enjoyed the perusal of it before going to church, one of the most interesting little books it was too I have read for some time, and the more acceptable as it was quite a month since one had come before. Several letters addressed to me from different quarters in the latter half of Dec^r failed to come to hand and I think it probable from some allusions in your last, that a letter of yours shared the same fate. I am glad indeed to hear you talk of coming this way again as your society and Miss Lucy's would brighten me up not a little, but you ought if possible to have come before, and when you do come make arrangements to stay longer than a month, as you will not get any benefit from the Aiken climate probably in that period. In Texas you might expect to improve immediately, and feel better from the time you had recovered from the fatigue of the journey, but the climate of Aiken, though very sure to benefit those who come in time, requires a much longer period to work perceptible improvement. The reason of it is I think, that the night air here, as my philosophical instruments show, is as damp as that of any other repair, while in Texas there is little difference in the air night or day -- and dryness of the air you know is the great essential.

     After the sun is up an hour or two, the Aiken air begins to be as dry as could be wished, and continues so till sunset. After that, pulmonary invalids should keep in doors, and I for one invariably do, and no doubt the same rule would hold good in Gainesville or any ordinary climate. Let me know as soon as you have fixed a day for starting, and as mail time is about six days behind car time, you will have to write almost a week ahead your letter of Friday 16th for instance, did not reach me till the sunday week following 25th. Taking the items of your letter as they come, and respecting the cough, slight haemorrhages &c, you will no doubt be benefitted by taking a little toddy, either during or immediately after dinner, if not at any other meal. It is certainly a beneficial prescription. I am glad you have found the J.R. boots useful, but you ought not to keep them on long at a time, unless you are moving about constantly, and then wear a yarn sock or slipper in them. Your Georgia Regt behaved badly: but the chief blame is on their Colonel. The 9th Ala which under Col. Wilcox [i.e., Col. Cadmus M. Wilcox] would no more have taken a rail from any one's fence than they would have thought of going to his tent for any thing they fancied in it, and they were a far happier and better regiment too for their discipline. Yet they were a set as of untamed colts when he took them in hand as were ever mustered into service. I fear much from the lawless spirit engendered among so many of our people by lax discipline, after the war, and think we shall have trouble from it.

Thank the Doctor for the scab he sent me. I have already put some of it into a number of arms, and as small pox is within 20 miles of us, it was important to have a reliable article. I am much obliged to you for your personal attention to the stone. My idea was to have the monument 5 ft 10 inches high from the bottom of the base or pedestal to the top of the cross, but if Mr. Nailer being more accustomed to the proper proportions than I am thinks it should be higher, he ca[...] make it so. I regret so much I was disappointed in getting the stone I wanted at Richmond. It was about 9 feet high in all, and was a beautiful figure of Faith, pointing Heavenward, carved in Italy. Price of $450 which was not much over the cost. It would have been nearer $2000 if the Gainesville prices had been a guide, but the cost is nothing if he makes no more than his usual charges, and does the work in the best manner and of the best materials. As to the Lily flower, one of those on your mantel piece would be a good guide for him to copy from. I had not thought particularly about a foot stone, but you can add a small plain slab for one if you choose with my mother's initials. I am afraid you will find the N. Year's gift you thank me for about as expensive as a new article would be. Of course I wished the appendages to go with it, and hope they may be in tolerable order for service. As to Caesar I know you would not talk about any charge for him, but his services were very va

luable to me at first when I was so unwell, and indeed are still so, as by having him I am enabled to board myself more satisfactorily then any one else I think could do it. I have the advantage of convenient rooms too for the purpose. As I have drawn the check I will not destroy it but send it to you to hand to the Judge on account of the minister's salary. Is the building occupied now, except as a church? I am glad you have got Milly & M.J. satifactorily located will no one be paid to take the others till I can make other arrangements. They will be worth so much more a [...]ar hence than now, that I could well afford to pay something for their keeping, to say nothing of the value it would be to me to know they were not adding to the trouble of the same sort you have too much of already, which of itself would be an equivalent to me.
     Give my best to Mit when you write. I would give a great deal to see her. I am glad she is so well pleased at Tuskaloosa. Tell Miss Lucy that I have some nice young friends here to introduce her to, with whom she will be intimate I am sure from the start. I have not many to boast of, but to them I am very much attached, one family particularly. I think you will like them equally well. Beaux however are awfully scarce -- We shall have to send to Chattanooga for the handsome major. That will keep him away from Gainesville you know entirely. When he is not on hand, I shall be at her service & hope to enjoy many of these nice walks you speak of. There are much prettier ones around Aiken then around Gainesville. With love to her and Nannie and Millie & best regards to the Judge, Dr June & his wife Miss Callie Mrs. [illeg] & all inquiring friends, I am as ever faithfully

Your friend
L.H. Anderson

Caesar begs his "best respects"