Dear Minerva

     I have a chance this morning of sending a letter to you by Richard Walker and I avail myself of it I have nothing to write that will interest except that my health is still improving I am regularly attending to business and thoug I have to watch myself and when I grow wory take a little rest or ride out for a time Yet I feel that if we are not ordered away from here for a few day (for those moves are very hard) I will be Entirely restored There is nothing wanting now but to regain strength to make my health perfect This I am gaining very fast I am now in the Enjoyment of a little country living that is helping me wonderfully There is a negro who brings us a pitcher of Buttermilk Each morning and you may be assured that I deem it a luxury This morning he let us have about One and a half gallons That will give us some for dinner At home you remember I never used butermilk but from some cause

and I cant tell what I now relish it above any other article of diet and nothing Else seems to agree so well with me
     I send by Mr Walker my watch It has got out of order and woant run This I much regret for I have got so accustomed to have the time that I will be very much at a loss with out it But there is no possibility of geting it repaired here And I cant think of carrying a dumb watch so I send it home I want you to take it to Mr Dreash and have it repaired and keep it safely Remember a valuable watch left hanging in view is liable to be removed by passing straglers So I want you to look to it that it is kept safe & keep it running
     I have from time to time writen you all I know about the great battle that took place so near this place [i.e., Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862] I doant know that I have any thing more to add about the past But for the future it is believed that the rebels are in great strength at Corinth which is close to Pitsburgh [i.e., Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee] Our forces are concentrating and prepareing at the latter place and it is Expected that a great time woant

Elapse before another battle takes place The position the rebels hold is of great importance to them Consequently it is Expected they will make a stuborn and desperate resistance I am satisfied that bothe parties have the best military talent belonging to the respective sides So we may Expect bothe a contest of Strategy and strength
     Still I get no letter from home We have mails here twice per week and it seems to me that you might send a letter that often Let me know whether the well has been boxed up or not also how Mr Pucket is getting along with the hous Also how him and John & Fred are geting along farming and the news in general
     Give my respect to all friend Espetially to our our household & Mr Pucket & family

you affectionate husband
George Thomas