In camp 5 miles From Petersburg
October this the 30th day AD 1864
Most affectionate Father I seat my self
this sabath morning to rite to you that
I am yet on foot I am not well as I hav
been the greater part of this company al so
My old disease is exhausting me some
again that is brest Disease Weak
ness in my Back and legs but
thanks be to God I am better Cerd
for than I hav been in time past
I hav Done no duty in over a week
I am harty enough except to eat
Meat and I live very well without
it when I do no duty I hope and
trust that this letter may reach
its destination soon and finde you
all well I was very glad to rece
your letter of 23 [???] and
to learn that you had got home
again and ware all well
I will say to you that on thursday
the enemy moved with a strong force
toward the south side R Railrode
some 2 or 3 miles on our rite our Cavalry
as usual run the yanks back [??]
to the plank road that is [14?] miles
[page 2]
from the railrode thare was
some hard fighting Mcreys
Brigade lost half his men mos
te of them capturd the yanks [???]
it up as a bad Job and went
back Gen Cook had gone in to
Charge them friday morning
if they had astade as he had
done good fighting he then is the
one to do the works but as Gen
Washington said the providence of God will
provide for and protect his army
I was then back at the Cook yard
our Brigade did not get in more
than a little sharpshooting I came
back yesterday found them 1 mi
to the rite of whare we left thursday
to day are aranging camp but
Just in rear of the brest work
I will say to you that B F & P d
Hedrick are well we keep our
Boxes at the cook yard mine and
[????] came all rite Phillip had
his knapsack and Bag of provis
ion and one for [????] Stolen at
[page 3]
Petersburg the same night
some one stole a ded man that
was put in a box to convey
home his legs war both off so the
box was short the man carried
it off a piece opend it and left it
he must hav felt rather bad
about the time he went to work
at it in the dark
TL Troy has not got her yet I herd
he went to Richmond thursday
night but had left his boxes
some where on the way like
he does every time
Gen Lee has given all soldiers
in his army a chance to join Cavalry
that will finde thar one horse
agreate many are enlisting they
are to hav 20 days to go home to
get that horse I dont think my
horse would stand it without
corn I dont think I could Stand
riding much at present so I hant
enlisted but I hope you can keep
the horse for [???] while you
[page 4]
are at home you can run 3
plows so you may keep him
awhile For I shall want him
id I live} == do what you
I hope you will get your wheat
sowed before you hav to return
to arms We draw loaf Bread
all the time I have wrote all [???]
writing so I will bring my letter
to a close please write soon as
I like to here from you From
J M Frank to Alex Frank and
Family
Dear Mother I am always hoping
to rece letters from you to know
that your life is yet spard and
that you still remember me in
your prayers May god grant that
this note may find you happy as
it leaves me - you was disappointed
in sending that nice provision
to me but I hope it did not get wasted
and that you can send again when I need
it I dont need the soap and socks yet
so good by write again
[??] Frank to Susanna Frank