Camp Vance
Dec 29 /61
Dear Mother
I this night Seat myself
to rite you a few lines to let you that I am
well hoping these lines may find you all
enjoying the same blessing I have nothing
new to rite to you J. M. West C. D. West
and Caldwell Blair arrived safe to our
camps this night a week ago with all there
boxes I received mine very gladly it had
Some apples Some butter and my Slips in it
but I have got so big or Something else down
here that my Slips is to Small for me I had
to let them out the full bigness and then they
were as tite on me as the Skin every time
I go to draw a long breath I can hear them
tear So if you are very plenty of cloth you
may make me another pair and Send to me
but make them larger round, they are long anough
I am happy to inform you that our company
is generaly well we have but one in the hospitle
at this time that is J. L. Teague he is down with fever
Some few are complaining in camps I would be
the gladest in the world to see you all
once more and Stile hope that I will Sometime
So I will bring my letter to a close
Yours affectionately
R. M. Blair
To Abigail Blair
[page 2]
Monday morning the 30
Dear brothers
I this morning Seat myself
to rite you a few lines I have bought me a
bull dog this morning and gave [??] for it
and intend to Send it by Harvey [&?] C. D. West
and I want you to take good care of it for me
if it ever gets home for I would not take
ten dollars for it if they get it home
So no more yours truly
R. M. Blair
To A. W. and F. P. Blair [1]

if you have plenty of cabage I would
be glad that you would Send me Some heads
by Tilmon Heartly when he comes or some
other person Clint Lee will be at home in
a few days you could send them by him
you need not be surprised at my wanting
cabage for a most any thing is good down
here so nomore A present
R. M. Blair