Brandy Station Va May 2nd 64
Dear Sister Yours informing
me that mothers Picture frame
and that 15$ had safely arived
you spoke of sending me
a poem but I saw none
in the letter, you seemed
to be quite enthusiastic
in your adiration of the
thing perhaps I should not
have made it but Harreled
was telling how people
like the ring that
I made him when he
was told he had better
see what hansome was
making if he wanted
to see a nice thing
I spoke and said the ring
was the most dificult
to do and required much skill
[page 3]
but was not so large
a thing I sun see that
to convince them that I was
right I would have to make
one, I made the eagle
and before I got it done
Bill concluded to throw
his away and make an
other, but when he had
his done wich was some
time after I finished mine
I see that he was satisfied
that his was the best job
and in some respects it
was but I thought mine
the best proportioned
he has sent his home
and I supose many
will se both of them
and there will be diferance
of opinions wich is the
best but I know
one thing and that is
[page 3]
I can make a beter one
than either I hope you
will not think this
bosting I have got one
comenced for the colonel
and If I do not get
punched in the next
fight I shall get it done
I sent you the cammeo
for that pin and presume
that before this you have
got it write to me how
you like it I have
not seen the casualties
of the 30th yet and
do not know the fate
of James I hope you
will write regular
wither the mail is
stoped or not
We are liable to
move at any moment
and hope [??] sucsess M.P.L.
[page 4]
Tell will I
will write
to him soon
M.P.L.

This is his last
letter. He was
killed in the
Battle of the Wilderness
that same month.


F
J.H. Dole
Lynn May 22nd 1864