Petersburg July the 26th day 1864
From Jesse M Frank to Alex Frank
And Family I am well this morning
hope this letter will finde you all
in good health and surrounded with
many blessings Affairs in front of
Petersburg are Seemeling un changed hav
good sesins now it was so dri the Whort
berry bushes died you may know by
that how Cropes faird I will say to you that
I rece your very kinde letter of 19th 21th
inst was glad to learn that you ware
well at that time I was sorrow to learn that
Father has to leave home I hope he will
never hav such a time as we hav had
in the army mother you have a trying
time of it but I hope you will be able
to bare it the Lord Gave the lord hath
taken away but I hope and pray he will
again restore to you both your husband &
son safe & sound and before a far distent day
then to Stay with you and live in peace
the remainder of our days I want you
to let me know whether the destrict
guard are to s[t]ay in camp and drill
or go to scouting rite away
[page 2]
I will say to you that I saw Wiley J. Loftin
yesterday he said J. Webster J. Wite
and Wm. G. Lanier Ware Well that
he had Aletter from Wm H. Garner
Who is at home Jerry Loftin is ded
James Bean is Well Also G. Doby
Tit Wiet davis L. T. Smith B. F. Frank
l[???]ings and ussy I think Henry rowe
Will Start home on furlow in a day
H L talks of going to see you if he gets
home to get some honey or butter
I will send some little rations by
him if he goes and will carry them
I hav in a paper that ramsours Brigd
lost 3 or 4 hundred men killed wounded
or missing up in the vally the 14th nc
is in it [??] old Corpse & I want to
here from the old 14th I hav no more
till I here from you again so adiew
From you Dear son and brother
J. M. Frank to Mr Alex Frank
and Family