South Carolina June 28th
Laurence District 1862
Dear sone I take my pen in hand
to let you know that I am well
and family at presant hoping
these few lines may reach your
hand and find you well I
received your letter this evening
which gave me great satis faction
to hear that you was well as to
health but sorrow to hear that
you knee had that ketch in it
a gain I had rote you aletter but
had not started it when I received
yours I was wating for R Cuning
ham to start back I aimed to
send it by him since I received
your last letter I will write you
another small one and send them
them both William if your
knee dos not Get well the rectly
I would try to Get to come
[Page 2]
home till it Get well for you
know if it dos as before it may
be the hith of the sumer
and may be the whole sumer
before you will be able for
service and it is dangerous
for you to stay on that island
in the fix your knee is if the
yankies was to come on you you
could not Get out of ther way
I would try to Get away from
thare if you can Get to come
home and arnt able if you
will write to me I will come
after you and help you along
you must rite write to me soon and
let me know how your knee
is giting william my sone ther
has not bin one day past over
me but your old father has
got down on his knees and
raised his voice in prayers for you
[Page 3]
I want you to remember that
as the sun rises in the morning
your old father is on his knes
asking the lord to stand by
you through the day and guard
and pertect you and screen
you from all danger and
bless you with helth and that
you may return home to you
wife and child and to your
old father I must come to
a close by ascribing you my
best love of a effectionate
father to a dear an only sone
till death
Joseph B. Box
To Wiliam I Box