the
Norfolk City va June 1 65
Dear wife I seet my self
this morning to let you know
I am well at this time I hope and
trust you are injoying the same
grate blesing your welcome letter
Came to hand the other day dated
May the 19 maild at Martinsburg
the lether you sent the week before
with that monehy in has not come
to hand yet I still havpe it may
Come yet I look for it this week yet
if it dont Come this week some
rogue taken it Williamsburg is
thought to be the place whare
they stop..I have not had eny
letter from home for 6 weeks but
two mald at Martins burg
you will try to send them to martins
burg or to Markles burg Fouses
got one maild at markles burg
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with 5 dollars in it Came in 2 days
after it was maild and from
Martins burg they Come in 4 or 5 days
and from bruce they never Come
dont send eny that route with
enything in it if that money
is lost I will try and dew with
out I wount starve the Lord
will provide some way..he always
takes Care of them that trust
in him I pray that I may
soon get home to you and
then all will be right.. I think
it wood be the happiest day
of my life to return home
to see my dear wife and Childern
once more..altho I am willing to
wait Gods own good time I
think it will not be verry long
I still pray much for you at
home and I may get home
soon I know you pray much for
me and God will soon answer our prayers
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we still hope to be discharged
about July altho we mite be
kept longer but shorely by fall
will be at home we was inspected
the other day and orders was
given to the Company Comman
ders to make out the pay roles
and muster out roles to have
them ready at eny time Cald on
by every appearence we mite be
discharged sooner then we think
it Cant Come two soon for me
I am well at this time dont be
uneasy about me God will take
Care of me and bring me safe
home to you.. you still keep
the wood halling bisness going onn
I recon Martha is the driver and
Emma Elisa and Ellie rids and
Mother walks after I will be
Comeing along some day
when you dont think of me and
see the team going
[Page 4]
take good Care when you hall
wood or work out dont overdew
your self dont lift eny thing
heavy take good Care till I
Come home then I will take
Care of you
I am glad the
the Childern is kind to
thare mother God loves good
Childern if they are kind
to thare mother and be kind
to each other and dont forget
to pray for pap I must soon
Cloase it is time for the
male to start
I give you in Gods Care
good by dear wife and
Childern till I see you
at home nothing more at
present but remains your
affectionate husband
F W Benson
wright often I will
wright every week
I like to here from home
[1] Tell Elisa and Ellie to learn fast
so they can read for pap wen he
comes home