th
Wilmington North Carolina Jan 11 1863
Dear Margaret I seat my
Self this morning to write you
a few lines to let you no where
I am I [am] well all only a bad cold
and I have a very bad coff
I hope this will find you
and the childering well we got
back here 10 Oclock last night
thare is a going to be warm
work here soon thare 50,000
yanks marching a ganst this
place from newburn NC
we here it reported Here this
morning that the yanks sent
in a flag of truce yesterdey
Eavning I do not noe for certain
where it is so or not
Gen Whiteing Says he is a going
to hold it at all hasards
I dred the concequensenas two
but thare is one consolation if I
fall it will be in a good
Cause in the defense of my Country
defending my home and fire side
[page 2]
[upside down at top of page]
I will rite you ever day or two I would
like here from you

but you noe all dont get killed
that goes in to battle it may
be my good fortune to come of[f] un
hurt I hope it will I am confident
of [one?] thing that we will [have?] to[??]
before sun setts to morrow
I would give any thing in this
world if I Just could get to
see you and childering
now at this time Kiss them
all for me tell [them] papa wants
to see them the worst ever he
did in his lief (but Margarret
I have but little notion at this
time that I ever will) but I hope
for the better if I get wounded
I want sum of you to come to me
and if get killed I want to be carryed
back home and burryed ner my
mother if I never come back take
the best care of the childering you can
and what we have got manage it
the way you think best dont shoe
this to any one I hav not herd from
you in most a month rite soon no more
only remain yours affectionet husband
untel death AJ White