Lieut Robert S. Edwards
48th Reg^t N. Y. Volunteers

My dear Rob.

     I have your capital letters of Feb^y 26th to April 6th. A few days after you last wrote Pulaski was taken by our troops and I see mention of a battery on Jones Island manned by troops from your brigade —
     Our great victory at Pittsburgh landing [i.e., Shiloh, 6-7 April 1862] turns out to have been a drawn battle — However the fruits of victory rested with us and as Pope's & Mitchell's corps are both close by & marching to join Halleck I have no doubt but that we shall give a good account of Bragg, Beauregard, & company —
     What a narrow escape you had from being shot. Evidently

'some one had blundered" — How did your Capt get off?
     Your accounts of make shifts for chairs & remind me not a little of my Cal^a experience —
     You ask about Indigo & if the increased demand has not helped us — Yes we cleared about $4000 on a lot which arrived at the right time — Business has been very good the past 6. mos at least $5pm. clear & I think that we shall get about $50.000 for the years work — If so we shall be again in comfortable circumstances — All our earnings since 1856 have gone to make up what was lost during the 15 mos of my absence from Manila but I think affairs are likely to go straight for the future —
     Your hope that Gen^l Hunter would be sent to your department

was soon gratified and I hope that we shall now soon get more good news from there —
     I am glad dear boy that my letters have proved a comfort to you I always hold you very near my heart & have indeed followed you in mind as well — You speak of wishing to send me early news. Every mail we get the Telegrams sent to Point de Galle with a weeks' later news than that in the latest London papers & these latter always have one to three days later news (by Telegraph to Halifax & Cape Race) than our letters. Moreover via Cal^a we get news very promptly sometimes —
     How did the matter of Cap^t Ferguson's [i.e., Capt. Asa H. Ferguson, Co. I, 48th New York Infantry] appointment result — I infer from what you write that he was not only an older but a more experienced officer

than the 1 Lieut^s who were passed over to give him the post —
     Little Kate absorbs a good deal of my time and about all of Nellies she grows & thrives and shows a quiet temper. Twice I have driven out with Nellie & held Kate on my lap. the little one seemed to like it very much —
     I have great hopes of securing this house again as it is not likely that the Sisters of Charity will be allowed to abide here long — It will be a great thing for Nelllie & Kate if I can. If not I shall get a house in the country somewhere even if I have to go to the trouble of building —

Very lovingly your brother
Ogden E Edwards

(If Nellie should not get time to write take love from her & Kate. OEE)