December the 27th
Lexington Dist 1863
Dear Johne
I do most cheerfully devote
a few moments in respounding you
a fu lines which I sincarely hope
will find you in the enjoyments
of good healthe.
Dear John I did not git anny letter
from you last maile I cant acount
for it what as the reasons I miss getting
a letter from my darling John
perhaps the letter was miss mailled
Dear this leaves me quite well Just
as fat as you ever saw me I dont
care to get anny larger than I am now
My Dear old Christmass is past an gon
againe an I and you are still far apart
I must tell you I never saw Just sutch a
christmass I[n] my short life I never bin
any whire atall to take christmass so
I did not see any so the time passed in
sadness with me altho I had plenty
to eat & drink that was good I could
have bin heare to have partake with me
[page 2]
I think I could have spent the time in
a better heart but if it is with me I am in an
unhappy state I do the time wont be longe
before you come to releive this trouble
heart of mine: I the sight of you would
drive all fears away for a while My
dear you have dissapointed me in
not coming to spend christmass but
I can look over the disapountiment
provided you will not miss coming
in January next so I will take no excu
se whatever I never have persuaded yo
to run away but this is one time you
must try ever way that you psable
can that is in you power an if you cant
suckceed in getting a furlow Just
run the blockade an risk the conseqence
es whatever they may be I trust you
may be lickey enoughf to git a furlow
for thurty days not less than that
would do me It apears to me it has bin
six months sine you left home the last
[page 3]
time I am more than anxious to see
you My Dear I nothing new to relate
you at this time only Andrew run away
last wednesday night an for nothing
atall he come in this morning very
unexpected to all he ses he dont no wha
t made him leave unless is [was?] por
dern fool is all he could say for him
self so he has don what I would no[t] have
believed I supose he is getting to large
for his britches his master ses he will
punish him siverly for his conduct
Dear John I got a letter from Brother
sam friday dated Dec the 18th stating
he an Brother ben was well also
said Ben had a furlow approved of by
the Col and had gon up to the Genl
at Richmond he would be back in a
day or two an then up then he woul
bid farewell to Old virginia shore
on to his home in old south
carolina he would come
[page 4]
so I hope it may turn out so you an
Ben will meet home togeather once
more to enjoy your selves if it is ware
Dear John you must not miss writing a
weak I did neglect stating my last
letter that Joel Give me the 20 do
llars you sent by him to me I never
can think of the rite things when I
am writing they is so mutch I would
like to say till forget one half I ou[gh]t to
say so you must look over mistakes
an bad writing for this is the worst pap
er I ever wrote on got two dollars wor
th of it an it is no maner account
Dear John I will save you your share as
persimon till you come your Father
made seven gallons of good brandy
I will fix you a box tomorrow to send do
wn by Joel tusday so you can tast of
christmass an Remember me alto
I am far away my heart is with the
you are never absent from my mind
nwthing more at pesant Affectionate wife
till death My love to you sweet kiss R E Jefcoat