the
Newbrne nc sep 30, 1863
Dear Parents as you requested
me to write as soon as got
the box i take this opportunity
i received the box to night
by supprise though i did
not expect it just now i though[t]
i was very glad to get it
so soon; i found the things
in a good condition excepting
some of that vinegar ran
out onto those nutcakes and
spoilt all but two and
the Pares all spoilt but one
though that was not much
as for the rest they were
nice i sold six of those can
of milk for forty cents a can
and could have got more
but i thought i would
not be hard on the boys
[page 2]
and could have sold two
dozen at that Price but
i want to keep som for
myself, the shirts i am very
much Pleased with and like
the colar better then the others
the draws and the socks
and the towells will come i[n] Play
now i have bin so long without
and in fact there is nothing
you sent but what i am
thankfel for. you would be
supprised to se how they flock
round when there is a box
coms and i gave them all
a apple round about as far
as they went and Picle and
some of those losenges for
there is some that gives me
now i am very much Pleased
with the box and am very
glad i have got a kind father
and mother and think of
[page 3]
you as often as often
as eather of your chldren
but i must not reflect
on this subject to long for
it is getting about bed
time; but in the midst
of my writing i had a
letter from John to day
they were at chelmsford
and a letter which i received
some time ago i answered the
other evening and requested
that if i had created eny
hard feelings i was very sory
it seems by the last
letter that all was right
and that Mrs jewett was
glad that i felt s[o] for
there was two letters that
i had wrote to John when
when he got to chelmsford
waiting for his arival
[page 4]
lizie said that they hadto
read them before they ate
supper, and John [sed?]
that if there was eny signs
of getting drafted that he
would go to shabokin
for a hideing place he
thought Just as though
he could hide away
from them, but i must
finish my letter soon
for it is about fertigue
call to go to work on
on the defences of newberne
we are digin the Parpets
on a line of brest works
betwixt the neuce and trent
rivers which will take
some time to finish,
now i have not much
knews to write this time
so good by till agan
write soon with much love
from your son James