July 5 1864 dinwid
de court house va
dear broathers I take
mi pen in hand
to drop you a few
loins to let you no
I am well at this
time and truly hope
when theas few
loins cums to han
may find you wel
and A doing well
boyes I have had A
hard time we have
bin A marching
ever Sens I cum
out we was in the
fight at the Juncti
on duke has bin ve
rry Sick and is yet
but he is A little
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better I am nusing
him the best I can
this man is A verry
clevver man he gives
us any thing we
caul for his name
is John F young
boys I want to to tend mi water
milion patch good [“I want to get” crossed out]
I think we wil get to cum
by the time thei get ripe I think
the war wil Stop Soon tel fil and
toma tha must ho mi corn patch
good for me and be good boys tel
I cum home I would like to se you
al and hope wil Soon I would like to
hear from you I hav not heard from
you Sens I left direct to dinwidde
Court house V A So I must cloas rite
Soon and often So I remain your loving
Until Death John H Black to G F and G N