Flag Ship Charleston S C
Decr 11th / 64 My dear wife I take the opertu
nity to rite you a few lines in georges
letter to inform you that I am well
at present and I hope these few lines
may find you all the same george receaved
a letter yesterday and that said you
was all well then and as I rote to
you a few days a go this week I thaut
that I would rite a few lines and
send it in his as I expect to
receave one before maney days
and I was glad to heare from
langley for I could not tel what
had become of him I expect to try
for a furlow before maney days if thar
is any chance I think to get one thare
is a right smart excite ment a bout
shearmon and I expect it will be some
dificulty a bout it now but I hope
that will be over for I want to come to
see you all for I dreamed las knight
of beaing at home with you and it rev
ives me to think of it to day but I hope
[page 2]
the time will soon come when we can
see each other at home and to be parted
no more in this life but I must close
as this peace of paper wount hold much
more as for newes I hate to rite enny think
for thare is so many lyes the report las knight
was that they had taken 16 thousand of shearm
ons army but I cant tell I hope the blessed
lord may be with us all and protect us
from all harm thrue this life and save us all
in his kingdom at last is my cincer prayers
your cincer husband untel death
good by H H Bowen
Mary send this to
nancy and I will cloas

[the rest of the page contains an earlier letter from Ann Bowen which has been crossed through]

Plymouth N C October 23 1864
my dear I will rite you a few
lines to let you know we are
all well at present and
that all the men is left to
day every one today on sunday
I am at asa allens at the bap
isom and gustus Bowen
is a wating for me to rite
this tel george Mary is rite
smart she has had some chils
with her milk but she ses
she is rite smart now I am
agoing to see her to nite
I receved a letter from you
to day good by
Ann L Bowen