It is a cute day here. the snow is falling & blowing & the cold is very ready to creep through the sides of our cloth houses but we have learned to get along with such things & it does not trouble us as it did at first. I have been having some cold for a few days as I believe I wrote unwittingly a few days ago. I think it is better & it has not been so bad at all as to put me off duty it is the first I have had of any consequence at all since I left home & so it seems funny like one of Ferd's funny scrapes. Letters are rather scarce from the region of home. I got one from Delinda [i.e., Delinda Jackson] by the last mail but one dated Feb. 14th & at the same time one from Frank Leavett [i.e., Private Frank W. Leavett, Company E, 1st Maine Cavalry] which I shall send you. Last night I did not get anything from any source.
     Yes Dear Father I want you to make room for two of us when my time is out to return home (here is a chance for a sell on others, as you will perceive, if you should wish to make it) The other is not a lady but one about the same size as a lady. I wrote to Frank about living with me two or three years & you can see his answer. If he is as faithful about his work as he was when I knew him you would find that he would help much. I shall have no place even to stop myself except with you unless I hire it so I want to know whether you would be willing for him to stop there

too. I will see to his clothes & if you think he cannot pay by his labor for his board while he stops with you I will settle the loss. I wrote to him about commencing the first of June or when I get home but if you want him in the spring I think that you can have him I want you to write me just as you feel about it. I very much desire to have him live with me for you recollect I thought him far more than medium in point of ability & every time I have thought of him I could hardly endure the thought of his having no more opportunity to develop that intellect which God has so graciously given him.
     I expect that they will contrive some method to get us out here again but I shall not trouble my brain about it I for one shall be ready to come again if I get home safe & I trust I shall. Mace [i.e., Private William H. Mace, Co. A, 23rd Maine Infantry] is well but thinks at present that he might hear from home a little oftener the same as myself. write often & please write with out delay about Frank for I await your answer to send him.
     I must close for I hear them talking about closing the mail

Your affectionate son
John

Joseph Jackson Esq.