henrico county sept 28th 1864

Camp Lee Richmond Va
Dear wife I seat myself to let you hear
from me this Leaves me not well but
better than I have been for some time for I
have been in the hospitle for twelve days but
has come out to day I have been Looking for
A Letter from you for the past week but
has recievd none yet I want you to rite
to me and Let me hear from you and all
your Brother John and william collins Left
here to day they are gone to the 56th regime[nt]
I will come home when I can there is no
furlows granted now and I expect to go to
the same regiment when I Leave here rite
me word how you are getting on about
something to eat I want you to move away
as soon as you can save your cotton and all
of your vegetables and go to your mama
you must hire emeline out this fall if
you can and if you cant you must pay
some one to take her
[page 2]
the cannons are fireing heavy to day at
petersburg but I hope the fighting will soon
be over the men are Leaveing here fast I
was glad to hear the county guards has got
to follow my tracks there was fifty con
scrips Left here to day and will Leave every
day until all gets off you must do the
the best you can for yourself until I return
I have rote you three Letters and recievd no
anser from you yet. rite me word how
Mrs Booth is getting on and all the neighbours
generally you must give my respects to my
mother and tell her I should like to see
her but cannot tell when it will be give
Love to missel direct your Letters to camp
Lee Richmond Va I will close I remain your
husband until death E V lane