Lagrange, Tennessee

Sunday, November 16^th, 1862

My Dear Wife:-

I write this note to you to tell you that I send this book and package by Arthur McDonald, esq. of Bowlingreen, Illinois.  He is the Captains brother and has been with us a week and Mrs. Young and him will start home tomorrow morning and pass Patoka Tuesday and then you will have employment for some time, reading the old letters etc. that I send you.  You will read them first, then let others read such of them as you like, but the letters that have been sent to me, you know that I don’t expect you will allow others to read.  I expect you to preserve these addressed to me; the others you can destroy when you like, they are of no account to me nor you, only as a matter of curiosity.  You will of course always handle the papers and letters that I send you, before you allow any one else to read them, then act your own pleasure in the matter.

I mailed a letter to you this morning and of course you know that I have no news to write today except that Elder Minor preaches for us at 11 o’clock today.  The weather is very nice and pleasant.  No news from Holly Springs.

I went with a squad, three or four days ago and we captured three hogsheads of sugar hid in a straw stack.  It is worth two hundred and fifty dollars.  There was also about 2500 pounds.  I will write a little to Diora and close.

Your husband,

William A. Smith

Mrs. Mary Smith

Diora Smith

Byron Smith

Marg. Hester Smith

Walter Scott Smith

Rollin Smith