Ever Dear Wife

     I arrived here on Monday evening on the first construction train that left the Plains. I was much disappointed to see the construction corpe leave so soon.
I do not understand it. It is said that it goes to Sherman and another corpse is to be here in a day or so. In a week at most. I hope it may prove true. Gen. Stoneman is looked for here on tomorrow evening to take command of this district. Whether any of these looked for events will transpire time

alone can determine.
We have news here that Gen. Sherman has captured Columbia South Carolina and that Charleston and Augusta have been evacuated. If this be so Sherman will soon have the south overun. He is making more military reputation than all the other Generals. Still it vexes me to think we in upper E. Tenn. should be so neglected and mistreated by the Federal Government. I sent you a pair of tongs and shovel and one pound of Coffee by Galyan. I hope soon to have a chance to send the sack of coffee home. Galyan said he was so heavy loaded he could not haul it. So soon as your Father comes down I will send it by him.

I am staying at Adkins on Main Gay street. It is a reasonably fair place. The table is not so good as at Mrs McCambells but I have a good bed and sleep pretty fairly at night but not near so good as at home. It make me verry pleasant & glad to get home. It is so comfortable quiet and homelike. I am uncertain about getting off tomorrow. I have some buisness in regard to the application I am making for United States Attorneys place that I must complete. When I leave it to others it is not done—and it is time the application was sent off. It ought to have been forwarded before now but it has not been done. Brownlow has written a letter for me and I have just got it tonight.

and Swann was to write one also but do not know whether he has done it.
I also have a letter from a man in jail to come and see him but have not had a chance yet.
I hope to be home in a day or so. Tell Jimmie he must learn his letters and be a good boy. and Adda that she must learn to walk good and talk. and also to be a good girl
Write me soon. And may all things work together for our good and welfare

Ever Yours
Jas M Meek