1864
Plymouth Washington Co November the 11
My Dear husband I seat my self to
rite you a few lines to let you know how
we are we are all well except bad
colds the children and my self has
colds but we are not sick with them
as yet your fathers folks is tolerable
well Rohadah baby is dead
it was a little over a week old my
farther was getting better I rote to
you that he was sick the rest of the
neighbours is well tel george that
Mary and the children is well
this is six letters I have rote to you
4 I had maled at plymouth I have
receved 4 from you the last was
dated the 16 of October Mary receved
one dated the 22 of Oct and I was
certen thar was one for me when
plymouth fel but I dident get it
my name is spelt so different from
the way I am called no one hardley noes
my name so I think it would be best
[page 2]
to back by letters Mrs Henry H
Bowen and perhaps I would be more
apt to get them it is a bad chance
to send letters now I rote to you to
rite to jasper keach at tarborough
and get him to forward mine to mr
gradlesses I thought that would be the best
chance the last news I had from you
you hadent heard from home I hope
you have before now I want you to rite
often it has bin so long since I heard
from you I want to hear bad if I find
out aney better chance for you to send
them to me I will rite to you to send
them to me I will rite to you if you can
get my letters I rote to you to send
some postage stamps send me some
if you havent for we cant get one
and I am nearly out it would be a
good way to put one or two in every
letter and if it got lost it wouldent be
so much I rote about the mens all
being carred of William got a discharge
as counstable he is home but Langley
[page 3]
and Alfred has gone to the 17 Regament
Asa Allen chose his position in the
cavelry and come home to get a horse
and I dont think he will go back I
would be glad he could stay for he is
badley needid Arnold came with him
I havent heard from him what he
will do I will tel you the particulars
about plymouth being taken as I have
heard the southerners carless as they
always are dident so much as keep pick
et on the Iron clad all went up in town
to sleep and keept picket on the south
field the yankees come thear and un
locked them logs around her and
put a torpeder under her and
blowed a hole in her that was
thurs day night they could of mendid
her but the yankees kept buming
them so they couldent work and mon
day they run through midle river and
got above town and poured the shells in
town so the men had to get in the
[page 4]
ditch they yankees dident have aney
land force and only nine boats I heard
our folks sunk four of thar boats
the men made thar escape some say they
saved the artilery the yankees took
about a hundred pris ners captain
Moss was killed I heard they had
Charles latham in jale they shot
town all to pieces they ruined they
steam mill I had a bushel and half
of corn and Mary a basket of wheat
we lost they havent bin out yet
this far I heare they have bin out rownd
town we look for them every day
to tare us up I trust in god they
wont come for it was two bad when
you ware at home and now you gone
it is ten times worce just for carless
ness has caused all this trouble I
would not of had it to happened for
a thousand dollars for one reason I cant
hear from you like I could before
and now I am afrade to leave home day
or night
[end of letter?]