Dear Wife

     Yours of the 29th Ult came to hand yesterday. It was a verry welcome messenger. I always get uneasy and fretted if I do not hear from you at the proper time. I am glad you have fallen on your regular days to write. In these unsettled and revolutionary times when separated from home and wife and child anxiety and care are tenfold enhanced. And you cannot imagine what relief a letter from you gives me—nor what disappointment and

concern I experience at their failure. The Legislature has at last got to work in earnest—but still it drags its weary length along. You ask me when will you adjourn? Not before the 1st of March at the earliest period and my impression the middle of March or the 1st of April is nearer the probable time—unless we are compelled to leave by some action of the armies. I am ready tomorrow I have no doubt that John and Mr Deadrick are both safe as White's Regiment was not in the battle, as we learn, nor were the cavalry to any extent. I do not think you need apprehend, nor need their friends, any danger as to their safety. Should I learn any thing about them I will

immediately inform you; and if they need assistance and I hear of it I will go to them and do anything I can for them.
In my last I wrote you I was at Mrs Fort's with three Presbyterian Elder and Dr Lea. We have been discussing the subject and had some amusement out of it. Dr Lea says he is a Presbyterian in sentiment. Esqr McCollum says Lea belongs to the cursing branch of the Presbyterian Church as he occasionally swears a little.
Our fare is as good as I want—as fine coffee as can be, without the least particle of Rye. Last evening we had the finest Oyster sup

per you ever saw. Everything is in good style and our quarters are, if anything, better than they were before. I told Dr. Lea I intended to write to you about his branch of the Church and that you knew mine. He begged not—but you see I have.
I have expressed to you 107 lb of sugar, which I see from yours now before me has not reached you. It is a fine article and cost me 7 1/2 cents per lb. I hope it has reached you ere now. If it has not you must inform me in your next and I will institute inquiry about it. It should have reached you before this. I will go to the house at which I purchased

and make inquiry as to the date of shipment. You will have to pay the Express fee which is about $2.25/00. I also bought a Bill of Medicine for Dr. Blackburn [i.e., Dr. Archibald Blackburn] which ought to reach New Market before you receive this. The Bill of Medicine for the Dr. cost him about $22.40. Tell the Dr. if he has not received them to let me know immediately. And That I done the best for him I could and I trust to his entire satisfaction. I did not lay out quite all his money nor could I quite fill his Bill the articles not being here. Should he desire any other articles and inform me, if here, I will purchase for him.
McDowell and my self have been

talking of coming home about the 20th of February or the 1st of March should the Rail Road Company get their Bridge done and the cars resume their regular trips over our road. We can then leave here in the evening at 2 1/2 O'clock and get home next morning. Write us how they are progressing with the Bridge over the Holston at Union Depot. I hope they will have it done soon. Of course you will have the measles. I regret they are so Close to you and that Jimmie's turn will be next. If I understand the disease it does not hurt small children much which I hope will be the case with him. I think Mary has had them. Hyram has not. If you have but two cases it may not be so bad as we fear. I hope that will be all and that they will soon be over. If we have to have it.

McDowell has a report from home to the effect that Gov. Johnson [i.e., Andrew Johnson (1808-1875)] has been expelled from the U. State's Senate. We do not credit it. Have you heard anything of the report?
I was glad to learn you were taking Music lesson and hope against I get home you can play Dixie. Home Sweet Home and the Legislative Quick step. Perhaps you like the latter the best as you think you are such good company. I admit your argument on that subject and am sorry I am too far away to prove it. Kennedy says we have at our house the flower of the Legislature and I fear it will make me vain to be praised here and at home too.
I sent you an Almanac did you get

it? Tell your faither to let you have a sack of Flour and I will pay him when I get home. Or if he needs the money you know where it is. Pay him for it and the am we got before. I forgot it before I left home. It has rained almost incessantly since I came here and is raining now. The weather has been warm.
My health has been and is now better than at any time since I came here. I did not take cold or experience any inconvenience after my return as heretofore.
Tell Dan to write me. What has become of the Artillery? It use to be quite the Staple of news at New Market. And Sallie Mitchell has set in the West! We have recovered Gen. Zolicoffer's [i.e., CS Brig. Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer's] remains which will be interred today. I have not yet learned the particulars. In my next I I will you them. May Every blessing remain with youd Jimmie

Ever Yours
J. M Meek

Tell Dan not to fail to write me. Write much and much.

John was in Simpson's Company. who is here and states he has not lost a man
John is safe
I have nothing from Mr Deadrick