Independence, Mo. Feb[.] 7, 1864 Dear Daughter,

I recd. your letter of the 31st, ult. yesterday evening, and answer it at once. I would have written you sooner, but expecting to be in St. Louis certainly before now I have neglected it. I now find things in such a condition here that it is impossible for me to leave home at present, and have determined to postpone my trip to Washington until the 10th or 15th of March, when you may look for me if alive and well.

The change in the military and civil aspect of things here are such that I do not think that they will so settle as to justify my leaving home before that time.

The counties of Jackson, Cass, Bates and the Southern Portion of Vernon have been reattached to the District of Missouri , and placed under the command of Gen. Brown, and Gen. Ewing has left for Kansas with nearly all his command. Col. Ford is in command of the Sub-District composed of the above named counties, Head Quarters at Kansas City. Ruse is still here with his command but is daily expecting orders to leave.

We have not yet received your Bulletin and of course must guess at your progress and [[MS. illegible]], but hope it has been such as to merit the approbation of your teachers.

I want you to take vocal music lessons this session, in addition to your studies of last session—and hope you will improve this opportunity of learning vocal music under the instructions of so good and experienced teachers.

There is still some twenty odd dollars in the hands of Mr. Buchanan and he will be instructed to let you have some if you stand in need of it before I get down.

I write to Sister Seraphina today and will also tell her my wishes in regard to your taking private vocal music lessons. We are always rejoiced to get your letters, and to hear that you are well and progressing well in your studies and hope that both your application to study, and your demeanor, as well as your strict observance of the rules of the school will be such as to merit the approbation of your teachers. Ida has written to you today also, and I suppose has satisfied your curiosity in relation to who was at the party &c.

I hope you will keep up your correspondence with your Uncle’s family, a duty which you know I am prone to neglect these exciting times. I think I will let you spend a part of your next vacation with them.

Your mother, Brother and sister are well and send you their love—also Ida, & Lizzie. Hortense and all the children are still with us—but she will in all probability leave for the ----- soon. The winter here has been one of unusual severity, but the weather is like spring now, and if it continues we will commence gardening soon.

I hope you will be careful of your health, never neglect exercise when you have opportunity.

Give my best love to all the sisters, and especially to Sister Seraphina[.]

Your very affectionate father, Jacob Hall