Martinsburg virginia

March the 20th /64
Dear Mother and Sister
your kind and
welcom letter came to hand
a few day a go.
it is with plasure that asume
my pen to write you a few
lines.
I was glad to here from you
and to hear you are well.
I am well as usual and the
health of our compney is tollerby
good at present.
too of the members of my company
has died with sickness since I
last wrote to you, thare names was
John Cross and Isac Price,
they was too good soldiers and are
missed much in the company
[page 2]
general Sigle has taken command
of this department I think he is
the man that is needed here he
has issued very stringent orders
in regards to citizens.
we have more guard duty to do now
than we have hade since last spring.
I am on guard every thir day.
the weather is toolerby good for this
time a year the month of march is
generaley windey rainey and cold.
we have hurd that our cornal has
ben relised from Richmond
I hope it is so and all of our
officers may be reliesed soon
I think the youg folks has got in
the notion of marring for my
part I have nothing to say,
I was a little surprised to hear
Leonard Hartle was married
to augusta Davis
I supposed they had a big time
a belling Oscar Davis
[page 3]
that butter you send me was
a quite a treat I wish
I could get a few
pounds of butter from home
ocasnley for butte is very carse
here
I am glad to hear the five
Dollars got home safe
Mother I will send you
my photograph it is a tolerby
good one. it is as good
one as I can get taken
here.
Mary I will send you one
in my next letter I write
to you
well I havent aney more
news to write this time
so I close, write soon
My Love to you all
I remain your sone
To Mary P Ellis and Wm M Ellis
Mary A Phillips