Camp Floyd, U.T.

March 10th 1859

My dear Ellie,

Yours of the 22nd Jan., Jane’s of Jan. 18th and one from Sam of Jan. 14th came in our last mail which it appears grew to unusual dimensions by accumulating on the road.

I enclose the power of attorney for Harry. It is left blank in part, which he can fill up himself, if necessary. It is general in its terms, and it may be proper to enumerate the stock specifically. ____ & McAllister have a power of atty. from me to draw the interest on the Penna. bonds, and unless that is revoked or recalled, I suppose they should be excepted in this. I have, of course, no particular wish that ____ & McAllister should draw the int. on the bonds if Harry is willing to take the trouble upon himself & can so arrange it.

I am sorry you did not call on Mrs. _____ when they were in the City. You might have done so with perfect propriety. There will be two officers detailed from the Regt. this year to relieve two who are now in my Company. He may be over himself, or at all events, being just from duty with the Regt. might [have?] know who they would be.

Col. Howe, the brother of the Capt., gave an entertainment the evening of the wedding when we all drank the full measure of happiness to the newly married pair. Capt. H. is the officer I wrote you about, & tho’ I can’t say I have any particular dislike to him, I certainly never had much admiration for his character. I hope he will be improved by his marriage with so amiable & lovely a person as Miss M. appeared to be. He was a classmate of mine at West Point and it is rarely we are mistaken in in [sic] the characters of those, amongst whom we have grown up. I know but few instances in my experience—they form the exceptions.

I am glad to learn such good news from Will, but what sad tidings go from your part of the world to them! They will make Be[ckie] wish to return once more to her father’s home, I know.

We are all as quiet here as usual, notwithstanding any accounts you may see in the papers. On the 22nd of Feb. I fired a national salute, with my Battery in honor of the day, &c. and at the end of the march, it being muster day, a review of the whole command was ordered. It was quite pleasant in the morning at Reveille, but commenced snowing lightly just as we were getting under arms. The storm steadily increased and before the review was over there was three or four inches of snow on the ground & on us too. There were a few cold hands & feet amongst us I can assure you. March here has in no manner belied it[s] character for changefulness. It storms one day—the next is all sunshine & smiles. Our winter is now pretty much over & tho’ it has been severe, we have not suffered in the least. Our houses proved to be in every respect of the most comfortable kind, tho’ making but little pretensions to looks. Our coldest day or evening rather was ther. down to -10° in January. You city people can not appreciate the comfort of a warm house, never having lived out of one. I am only waiting until the weather gets settled a little to commence drilling. The frost is out of the ground in the vallies [sic] & they commence ploughing in this month, or early next. Ther. today was 42°, snow all gone save in the mts. I have never heard anything more about Harry[s] account with the Ivins’. He had better send it while the Army is here. He may then have some chance of getting his money, otherwise I am afraid he will have but little. Love to all, & kiss Reynolds for his [beloved?] Uncle. Tell Jeanie I’ll write to her next mail.

Your affectionate Brother,

John F. Reynolds