December 26 1863
My dear child
I now take my seat
to drop you a few lines to let you
know how we are getting a long
we are all well but Willie he
has been complaing for about
a week I thought at first he
had scarlet fever but it is
not that it may be nothing
but cold Sally is almost wel
[??][s?] he is talke of coming here
to day but it is so cold I dont
know whether he will come or
not oh John I do wish you could
be at home there is no christmas
here if you could get home I
think we could have a little
[3 lines of upside-down text]
[page 2]
your Papa says if you gone in
to winter quarters try to come
home some time take good care
of your self as you can and if
you get sick or hurt do let me
know and I wil come to see
you and take care of you and
may bee I could get you home with
me I do hope you wil not get sick
nor hurt but if you do oh do
let me know you know how it
hurt me because I did not get
to see your poor brother Joseph
I have been working hard and
hav money enough to come to see
you any time John dont you begin
to need shirts if you do let me
know and I wil get you some
Willie and Laura send their love to
you your Papa says he is going to write
to you some time before long
I remain your affectionate mother A B

[The 3 lines of upside down text on the 1st page]
Euphronia sends you some Onions
and a potatoe I wil fix you a box
to day your Papa made the box to little