Belle Landing Ala           December 29th 1861
To Wm M Miller
to inform you that we are all                Dear son I again write
well at this time hoping this will find
you in good helth I have written to you several times but you
say that you do not get any letters from us I do not know
the reason why you do not get them I think they must be in
the Mobile Post office I will send this one down by oald Peter Jones
we have very little news of importance from the diferant armies
now in the field domestic news none of concequnce times is
very hard no money no trade of any kind every thing is at
a stand all of our youg men has Joined the armys and a good
many of them has died from diferent diseases your Brother
Geeorge died in the Alabama Hospittle in Richmond Virginia
after sufering a long time first with measles and then Typoid fever
he died in October I do not know the day of the month there has
been a great deal of sickness and many deths in our coun
try last sumer and fall M Frederick lost two of his children
Mary Ann & Emma Wm Braggs wife and daughter Jas C McCall
John stanly and number of others but the sickness has abated
and the country is tolerable helthy at this time Christmass is
over it has sertenly been the dullest time I ever seen no
boddy to frollick and nothing to frollick on there is plenty
of Corn Peas and Potatoes more of those artickles then has ever
been raised in the country be fore and cheap a nough there is some
Pork but it scarce and those that has a little to sell ask from
14 to 25 cts pr pound for it ordinry sows & P eggs for $20 to 25 [1]
[page 2]
I have not much more to write you I have been
making some improvements at the Bell place for Hunt
they have moved up to it last week Mary Amanda
Bruce Betty and Frank is at home now James and John
is in Mobile we all wont to see you verry bad the children
all send their love to you write to me as often as you can
and now accept my best wishes for your wellfare in
this and world to come Respectfully your Father
James H Miller
PS gave my Respects to all the boys that I know in the
Fort and to Capt Foster

it is Joy to the Just to do
Judgment but destrcton Shal
be to the Workes ofo iniqety
W M Mill[er?]