Bound for the front
February 25th 1864
Dear child I received aletter
from you the 29 of January
it told me you was well I
was very glad to here of you
being well. the last letter
I got from gran paps they
said the to litle ones was
well I was mutch pleas
to here of them being well
I am well as common but
very tired. my feet is galded
on the 24 of this month we
started to march through
to the front. we halve march
= ed two days. it is about
180 miles. we halve to cross
the mountains. the boys is
tired. meany has all ready
give out
[page 2]
I dont no how I will
Stand it. theire is about
five thousand goen through
in one bunch. our train
is about two miles longe
Child I am to tired to
wright. I will wright
you afew lines to let you
no how I am. I am well
but tired. I hope this
cursed thing will be over
after while so I can come
home to se you all
I want you to do the best you can for your
self and I will
be a good girl
I will wright to you soon
as I get through. So no more
but remain your afection
= ate father fare well child
E.J. Gorham
to Mary Ellen Gorham
[page 3]
when you get this
letter I will be in
the mountains

this is ahard road to
travel

away away down in the
land of cotton synamon
seeds and rocky bottom
cursed is the land of
dicksey

evry house is burnt
so far as we halve gon
that was eany acount
not afence to be seen

no more at this time

I will wright soon
to you again
fare well darling