Springfield, Mo Feb 8th 1862 Dear wife I am well and hope these few line may find you all well I have sent two letters to you and have not 5 minutes to write as Lt. Stuart is ready to start I do not want you to let Lt King bring my mule as he promised I will buy one Shortly I want you to write as soon as you can and let me know how you are getting a long and if you want any assistance let me know it and I will Resign and come to your assistance I have writen so much trying to inform you of my troubles that I will omit it this time I have not heard from you I N Bradford came here but am ver desireous to here from you I will have Seven or eight hundred Dolars due me and I sppose we will Soon be paid for out Surivice I want you to not think hard of me for not coming now for the Colonel dont want me to resign you must be contented as much as posa for my Sake I have tryed to do so give my respect to all my friends and write Soon I am your devoted husband M J Bradford