4 1863 N C
My Dear Child i take this opertun
ity of riting you a few lines to let you
no that we are all a bout and hope
these may find you well i thaught
i wood not rite to you at this time
but Doc came down and Said he
had made a box and i could put
Some bread in it for you and the
Sweet bread is yourn and a bit
of Soap Julius Kirkman will
bring the box dock was to take
Some but he is a goin to go by fay [1]
if he goes and it may be that he
will have to walk some of the
[page 2]
So i will Send it by Julius if
you doo not come home at harvest
i want you to rite what you kneed
if you kneed any thing i want
you to rite soon and often and
i will doo the same i feel
very bad and dont feel like work
but i have it to doo i think so
much about my litle bell She [2]
was so dear a litle Child
but she is gone and we must
go Shortly to your unkle Eli
is hear now he is not much
beter yet Julies can tell you
what to doo with the box i
want you not to gor get to
rite so i will quit for maby
tha will want to Start So fare
well this from your Mother
[part of line cut off in photocopy]