Dear Paul,

I hope all is well and you are staying healthy and uninjured on the battlefield. You have missed a lot since being away. We have moved to Sharkspur, Maryland and I have taken up a job at the local hospital where I treat wounds of soldiers. It is voluntary so I do not get paid but I feel as though it is my duty to help the ones who have served because if it was you on the table I would want someone to do the same. I have also started working as a chef preparing meals for the nurses and soldiers who come through town. I am being paid by the government and besides your monthly check we receive, it is our only source of steady income. I wouldn’t consider us poor yet because of the extra money I inherited from my dad’s passing but if this war goes on much longer I am not so sure. 

Our kids, Josie, Henry, and John miss you dearly and wish you would come home. Josie comes to the hospital with me and talks to the soldiers. They say it brings them comfort to know someone so smart is being brought up. Henry just had his 8th birthday and has already ruined the new gloves I got him. And John can’t walk or talk yet but I know you need to come home soon so he doesn’t forget you.  

On September 17th in Larkspur Maryland, the Battle of Antietam broke out right on our doorstep. The kids could not keep their eyes away. We are tending to people’s wounds right here in the living room and I am worried that the kids are seeing too much at such a young age. Soldiers are coming up to our door and asking for food and water and I feel as though it is my duty to give it to them because I would want someone to do the same for you. We don’t have much to spare but if we ration it right, we might be able to make it. I am trying to remain my humanity by spending as much time with the kids as possible and writing letters to you. 

I don’t like the war. It is stupid and over the top. Of course, everyone should be treated equally and not be beaten and abused just because of the color of their skin. I also think it is stupid that people’s loved ones are going away and fighting when they need to be home with their family. When this war is over, I hope people understand that they are causing a lot of hurt to everyone and the only thing they are achieving is dead bodies and hurt to many families. I wish people would stop now and look at what our world has become. 

Please be careful and write back as soon as you can. 

With love,

Your wife, Chole Snider