The State of Ala Fayette Co July the 30 1861

Dear father and mother I take preset opertunity
to drop you a few lines to let you know
that we are all well at this time hoping that
theas few lines may find you well and doing
well I hav not much to writ I received you
letter some time back times is hard hear
Corn is worth $1 per bushel I want you
to write and write what the talk is a
bout war thare is the gratest exitment
a bout it that I ever herd I want you
to write all about the times Crops is good
hear tho we nead rain if we can get one
more we will make good crops of corn
Dear fathe the times is so sterd up that
I dont know whether that I ever will
come back or not the health of this contry
is tolable good so far as I know I hav
got a tolable good crop I beleave that
all of the conection well so far as I
know I want you to write a little
offtener if you pleas I want to se you
all one time moor in life but if I
cant se you I want to hear from you
often so write and write often and
I will do the same I am so pesterd in
my mind that I cant think of anything
to write Lemiley ses that she wants
to se you all one time moore but she
dont know whether she ever will or not
So I will close I stil remanes you
affectionate Son and daughter until death

James R and Lemiley Poe to Father and mother