Robert S. Edwards
Lieut 48th Regiment
N.Y.S. Volunteers

Dear Robin

     Rumors are all we get — I have seen a London Times of the 11 Nov^r which contained Gen^l Sherman's orders concerning the debarcation of the troops and noticed that your brigade formed the Reserve — But as to the whereabouts of the proposed landing we are quite in the dark — Next week we should get news up to the 26. Nov^r from London when I hope to learn something more about the matter tho' I can hardly hope to get a letter from you
     An american ship the "Cyclone" arrived the other day from San Francisco on the 19 Nov^r, and the capt must have news by telegraph up to the 17 or 18 Nov^r from New York, but he won't let out anything — I am inclined to think therefore that the news are good, as if otherwise he could not have any object in keeping it to himself — He wants to buy a cargo and doubtless thinks that news of a successful result to the expedition would put up prices here — You see my dear boy how the shop comes in —
     Poor old shop he has had a hard time the past six months and we are put back all we have gained since Sept 1859. Well patience & stick to it, I think I see brighter days ahead and mayhap we needed this discipline — At all events we have had it and I think that at

least we will know how to improve our dear bought experience — Our business for the coming year will much depend upon the course of affairs at home — but enough of this —
     The trip we took to Antipolo has done Nellie a deal of good and quite filled out her cheeks Some day Rob. I hope you may know the comfort and restfulness one gets from a loving wife —

Jan^y 23d We are still without any mail and I shall have lots of reading to do when the steamer does come in —
     There have been staying here a short time two very pleasant ladies M^rs Gassett and her adopted daughter Miss Simm — Folk with whom we became acquainted during our trip to China last year — They left yesterday in the "Kathay" for London. M^r Griswold of Russell & Sturgis went home in the same vessel & folk say the bright eyes of Miss Simm are the cause of a staid elderly man preferring a voyage around the Cape, to the overland trip She is sixteen & he say forty six — He has been here nineteen years and was no chicken when he came. All the old stagers are going away & I begin to count myself among the elders of the land. At present there are only seven foreigners who have been as long in Manila as I have — So we go Good by dear brother, with a deal of love and best wishes ever Yours

Odgen E. Edwards

24 Jan^y

yrs of 19 oct just rec'd but not read

lovingly
OEE