the
Norfolk sity Va May 25 1865
Dear wife I take y my penn in hand
to let you know that I am s[t]ill well
I hope this may find you and the
Childern injoying the same grate
Blessing this morning the town is in
grate Commotion this is election day
here to elect Congress and assembly
and other officers for the town the
negrows is to vote the Coperhead
party oppose and difficulty seems to
arise at home I woodnot like negrows
voteing here I am in favour of it the
Republican Candidate Could not be
elected without the darky vote
and enything to bring about peace
we are still garding the military
prison with about two hundred
inmates the asortment is negrows
white men and rebbles it is a hard
looking Crowd
[Page 2]
I Cannot tell enything about
being discharged yet there has benn
a order issued to make out the
pay roles for the one year men and
drafted men it is thought they will
be the ones dis Charged I think after this
service at Washington we Can purty
soon tell how soon we Can get home
I still have good faith in God and
pray much for the time to Come soon
I feel shore the Lord will bring
all things right and bring me home
safe to my dear Wife and Childern
you must still keep up a brave hart
I pray much for you and the Childern
I feel shore that God will take care
of you I know you and the Childern
prays for me and God will answer
our prayers tell Martha Emma
Elisa and Ellie to be good Childern
and be kind to Mother and pray
for pap to get home
[Page 3]
Let me know in your next
all about my Clothes I heard by
Fouses letters my bundle was lost
I bought a yard of muslin and tide
them all in it shoes and all and
A Fouses dress Cote my vest
was in his Carpet sack Aurandt
shorely has seen after them before
this time your seventh letter I
did not get yet I got all before
that and got none Cence I
look for one today at twelve oclock
I will not close till the male
Coms
the male has Come and no letter
I think by tomorrow or the next day to
here from you maby it lade
over a weak at the post ofice
agin I seean you have sent me
a little money if the letter
Comes right I hope it will
[Page 4]
I must Close I have not
much news at this time
I will rite soon again after I
here from you maby by the
next time I Can tell
you more I give you in Gods
Care good by Dear wife and Childern
tell I see you I hope it will not
be long F W Benson