Vicks burg Miss
Apr 23 th 1863
Dear And effectionate
Wife I this morning take
my pen in hand to let you
know how I am getting
along I am tolerable well at
this time with the acception
of A pain in my sholder
I hope when those few lines
comes to you they will
find you enjoying good
health I received your kind
letter and provisions day before
yesterday oh how glad I was
to get them for we were
out of provisions at that
time but we have drawn
some to day we are bountifuly
suplid at this time I lost
all of my eggs they spoiled
the rest of the things are
all right we had A
fine breakfast this morning
Brother James is here he is
tolerable well this morning
I was very glad to receive those
[page 2, photograph is too out-of-focus]
[page 3]
boys went and tried to get theirs
but the fellow said his glass
was out I want you to have yours
taken immediately and send it to
me the first chance that would
be the best thing you can do
to console my feelings oh if
I could Just have your ambrotipe
to look at it would be A great
consolattion to me you have mine
and I know you look at it often
and wish that you could see me
do not stand upon the price if
you have the chance to have it
taken Oh how glad I was when
I read Jimmies letter he stated
that he was living with you
at last and he was going to stay
there now and help you take
care of my things the best
he could that gave me great
consolation to think he is so
kind to us but I intend to reward
him for his kindness to us
I was glad also to hear he was
getting on so well at school
[page 4]
we would be very glad to receive
Captain J. A. Haygoods Company
in our Regt we are kneding recruits
very much at this time and Brundidge [1]
boys makes as good soldiers as there
is in the Southern army Huraw for
Captain Haygood of Brundidge Ala
you rote to know About the chance
for me to get A discharge that is one
thing that is imposible for
me to answer if I should be down
for a long time I think that they
would furlough or discharge me I hav got
as good oficers as there is in the
confederate states I know you
have A lonesome and hard time but you
do not know any thing about trouble
and bad living when you get down
in heart pray to god for protection
and pray in faith and he will
reward you I thought I would get
down in heart and be lonesome but
when I get to myself where you think
it would be lonesome there I can pray
to my maker to bear me up in my
troubles and trial here on earth may
the lord bless us and hear our petitions EKF