[Written on Hotel Register paper]

April the 18 1863
dear sun
I takin my pen in hand to
rite you a fue lines wich
will in form you that I am
well hopin that those
fue lines may rech and find
you in joyen the same good blesings
dear sun I receved your kind
letter the last mail and I was
glad to hir that you war
well and this levs all well
dear sun I have no neas to rite
to you more then I must tell
you that the yankes has had
wright blake sorrouned and
tuck his horse but tha did
not git him he has got back
to his compny so I hear and
thar air exspecten a hard
fite in a fue days now
[page 2]
if tha have not had it be
fore now dear sun I am
sorry to hir that you air
a sufring for somthin to eat
but I hope that times may
git so that you all may git
a plenty to eat but it dont
lok like that purvison can be
got it such a prise as it is
corne is wort 4 dollars and
teenty five cent and bacon
1 dollar and teenty five cent
rite soon and give me all
the neas nothen more at presant
only I remain your Affectionly
Mother tell deth
Catherin Ramsey to
John Futch