Civil War Letter- Confederates going to attack Chicago from Canada

four-page letter from Ellen Mc Ferguson to her brother Charles (“Charley”) Reynolds, dated Franklin, Jan. 11th 1865. The letter was sent to him at the Marine Hospital, New Orleans, while he recovered from illness during his service in the 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry.
 
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1865,
Franklin, Jan. 11th
My Dear Brother
I will improve the present time by writing to you. I should have wrote to you before this but did not know where to direct. I received a letter this morning from Sarah Jane. She gave me your address. I am very sorry that you are not well. I have got your picture. I should not have known it was meant for you. I expected you had changed in the 15 years since I saw you but I was not prepared to see so great a change. Oh Charley I feel very sorry that you had to leave home against your will and if you were only healthy it would not seem so bad. I expected you were in Pa. but New Orleans is a bad place for a southern man. John says you must keep up courage and not allow yourself to get homesick. When I think how John escaped for three years and was in several battles and came home safe without a wound or any
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sickness of any account, I think that you will escape one year. I do wish you could get your discharge. You must try for it and not stay if you can help it until you are clear run down. Sarah says you are troubled with a lame back and pain in your side. I think riding with the cavalry would be bad for you, but if you were with the infantry the marching would be hard and you could not carry a knapsack without it killing you. I wish the war would end it seems the rebels are getting somewhat discouraged, they have held out long it would seem they must soon give up. It is thought they mean to attack Chicago from the way of Canada. They are getting very bold. John came home in Aug. and the 1st of Sep. we moved out here. We like it here. We ought to have come years ago and we might have been worth some thing by this time. Produce of every kind has been
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bringing a high price this fall and winter. Wheat has been about $1.30 per bu. Oats 50 cents corn 50. Pork has been very high I have heard of it bringing 18 cents a pound. We are going to work a place on shares. We are living on it now in the house with John’s niece. The winter set in early here but it seems it will be an open winter. There has been but little sleighing yet. There is no snow now. They are using wagons. It is very cold out here on these prairies. The wind has such a sweep. Sarah will be lonesome this winter when you are away. I know we was when John was gone. You know he was away three winters, but it is worse to be alone in the country than the city. It is good thing Sarah is so near her folks. I must close as it is late and I must put Susie to bed. We all send you much love and well wishes. I hope you will get this and answer it soon. I hope you will be better when we hear from you.
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direct to Lester, Blackhawk Co. Iowa
do please write soon for I shall feel very uneasy about you, from your affectionate Sister
Ellen Mc Ferguson