Norfolk City August
the 14 65
Well Emma Eliza and Ellie
I must write you a few lines I am
well this morning I know you will
be glad to hear ti [1] I hope you may all
enjoy good helth when this gets
home I wil send 3 photographs in
this one and 2 in Marthas letter
and 1 I sent in your letter yester
day I hope you will get them all
safe let me know if you get
all I sent six in all I hope you will
get them all I have better hopes of
comeing soon after them I see in the
paper yesterday that general Thomas
is reviewing the army to see if there
is not more troops at these diferent
commands then is needed and I think
he will see they dont need more then the
half that is there he has benn
discharging men and prisners in diferent
places that is all will help us out
enyways soon I hope it may prove
favourable to us the officers likes to
stay in service while the men wants
to go home
[Page 2]
well little girls I sepose you are all
good childern I think I can see how good
and Kind you all are to your Kind
Mother who has many long nights
watched over you when you have ben
sick and not abel to help your self
and now you must be kind to Mother
I know you will Emma will not let
Mother work too hard nor Martha
wount either you will be good
Childern and pray for pap that
he may soon get home
to see Mother and all you childern
Mollie you will find a note in this
for Sarah Fouse please hand it to her
with out the boys knowing it the
Childern wont say eny thing about
I must close I give you all
in Gods care I remain your
affection husband and friend
good bye Dear Mollie and Childern
F W Benson