Mobile, Febr. 2, 1863
Well My Good Sallie
I was much delighted a few days since receiving your very kind letter, which I should have answered before this, but the morning I received it, I was ordered to Jackson, Miss. & have just returned. 'Well, Cousin Sallie, you cannot immagine the pleasure it gave me.' If there is anything I love except yourself, it is seeing a line from your own hand, the hand I claim as my own (the hand of Miss Sallie). I much regret that I will not be albe to see you for some time. Circumstances beyond my control will detain me here for several weeks, but you may rest assured of one thing, as soon as I can possibly get off, I will come directly to Calhoun for the purpose of seeing you, the object (I love or ever expect to have affection for.) I am quite busy here buying & getting off sugar and molasses for the Government, transportation is now so difficult to get. I will be detained here for quite a time yet, which I am sorry to know. Well, Miss Sallie, the Federals are making a channel from the Miss. River around Vicksburg, intending to flank the batteries & cut off our communication entirely. When that is completed you may look out to hear of a fight, perhaps one of the greatest of the War. I am quite fearfull we will yet loose Vicksburg & in fact the entire state of Mississippi, which will be a heavey slam on us. Write me immediately a long letter care J. H. Ga??. If I have not time to write long letters to you, hope you will take the time.
I am every your friend & devoted
S. B. Hendrix