October the 21 1864
Pettersburg Virg
Deer Wife and child i take another
opertunity of riting to you hoping
that these few lines will find
you in good health as it leaves
me in good health at present
i recevid the vote that metcalf
sent and was very mutch ablige
to him for sending me the vote
though i ad voted the day before
the very same ticket that he
sent to me so i will send you
the tickits so you can see them
we are still laying in the front
brest works right in the front
of the Joneys now i want you to
tell me some news when you rite
to me again and look after them
as son as you can because i want
them to ware i want you to rite
as soon as you can make it canvei
ent
[page 2]
whe are laying on the bank of
the apatomax river there is some
very nice big ritch old planters
houses all knoked to peices and
caried off and burnt up and destroyed
entirly last night i ad the chance
of seeing a deserter shot he was areble
he deserted and took the oath of
allegiance and then took abounty then
deserted from us and tryed to run
through our peckets and they shot
him dead and another they took
prisner that was with im the
same time it was betwen aleven
and twelve o clock in the night
i was on post at the time this
happned close by mee i have
not sen steves yet but i ad note
from him the other day telling me to
keep is letters for him so i expect to see im
so no more from your husband
F Patrick i remember my little girl ye
and often think of her good by