Ashland January 8th 1864
Dear Sister I receive A Letter
from you some time ago
an was glad to hear form [1]
you an all of your family
those fiew Lines Leves
Me Quit well well an in
I hopse these fiew Lines May
find you an all injoying
the Same blessing Sister I
will Tell you something about
what A time I had A
Chrismast I had the Lives
A time Chrismast I ever
had in My Life I went to
four parties an I danc
tell I Couldent see Jane you
Sayed you had the sweetest
Little baby I ever saw you had
name it Mary Ann [???] Like
to name it after My sweet heart
My sweet heart is name Annie
she is A good Litle girl
[page 2]
Jane I think if the
war dont Brake before
next fall I shant wate
eney longer I shall gitt
Married then war or no war
[??????] [My?] chances or My
Annie [chick?] [????????????]
[??] all streight I think
Jane I have no nuse of impor
tance you Must write soon
as you gets this will
Close By saying I remain
your true brother

John C Collins