Aprile the 24th 1863
Camp Buckner Near Talladega Ala

My Dear & Mutch beloved Companion it
is alone through the kind dealings of
Almity god that I am blest withe the
presant opper tunity of writing to you
to lety you no that I am in Resonabel
helth and I hope when these few lines
comes to hand that they may find
you & the Children all well & doing
well I have nothing Strainge to right
to you at present Dear wife I want
to Se you all very bad I want you all
to do the best you all can for I think
that I will come back Soon but I can
tell when we are cooking our Rashions
now for 2 days and we leave this plais
at 7 Oclock in the morning to go to
Tinisee I have some of my Kneighbors with
me dear wife I will rite to you as soon
as I get to where I have to stay then
I want you to rite to me and let me
no how you are all gitting a long Dear
most dearly beloved wife & children
[page 2]
I want you to remember me & Dear children
I want you to mind what your mother
sayes to you & be good children to one a
nother till I come home a gane & then
I can tel you all labout it bud I want
you to forgive me for leaveing be fore
you got back from mill bud I want
to Sea you verry bad but I dont
no when I will git the chance bud
bee a good boy til I come home agane
Marthy I want you to draw all
of the money you can Dont write
to me till you here from me agane
So I must close for this time for it
is late in the nite So I will close
for this time by saying farewell
to you all in Bonds of love
Wm B gilliland to his beloved
wife & litle children in love to
all

[Addressed to]

Mrs Marthey J.
Gilliland
Benitsville Ala
from Wm B. Gilliland