Camp McGouen virginia
the
Dec 23. 1863..

Dear son with pleasure this
morning I seat my self to drop
you a few lines to let you know
that I am well as comon at this
time truly hoping these will
Reach you in Due time & find
you well and all the Rest I have
nothing Strange to write to you
all is quiet with us now
it is now Snowing and I am
bar footed and I want you
to go to Elip barkley and see
if you can git him to
make me a pair of shooes
and if he can I want then
to take them to Alfhred neall
By the 16 of next month and
he will send them By his
Boy Jim write to me as soon
as you git this letter and let
me know the price of them
[page 2]
and I will send the money
By the first one passing if he
can do so he will obblige a
friend make them No. 11.
and verry high quarters and
Rais them tolorable well
write to me a little oftener
than you have bin doing
for I have not Received a
letter in over a month and
I feel like ther was Some
thing the matter So Nothing
more but Remains your
father until Death
W. W.. Slaten