Letter, William Sykes to James Sykes; 12/26/1864

              Winona Dec. 26th /64
Brother James,
              Ellens frequent letters together with a degree of carelessness and some employment on my part has prevented my writing to you of late.  I do so now more as an evidence of remembrance than to communicate anything oficial.  In truth I have nothing to write.  I have been too much depressed since Lincolns election by the inevitable continuance of the war to indulge even a pleasant thought.  Since the war commenced, even during its darkest days, I had fondly looked forward to the close of his administration as offering at least a promise of peace, and my return to former pursuits.  But now, all is dark.  My last hope is gone.  I feel like giving up � caught without means, and resources � even to speculate, I have had a hard time � a poor time, but I had hope of its termination.  Now every prop is knocked from under me.  I am at a loss what to do.  Something I must