State of N C fort french near Wilmington
August 8th 1863 Dear wife and children I again
Seat myself to write you a few lines to let you
know that I am well at present and I hope
these few line may come Safe to you my dear wife
and chinldren and find you all well I recieved [1]
you kind and affectionate letter Aug the 7th dated Aug 2 with
great Sattisfaction to hear that you was all well
but I am Sorry to hear that you dont receive
any letter from me for I write one or two every
week you wanted to know how many letters I have
wrote to you I connot tell you how many I have wrote
I have wrtoe four or five letter to you since I wrote
the letter you answered in you lat letter I am very
glad to hear that the work of god is going on in
the country and that Some is yet trying to
Serve god for this is a heathen land here all you
can here is cursing and swearing
the worst oaths the can think of is the best
fun and I am very glad to hear that the neighbours
is good to you and tryes to help you you wanted
to know what you must do about a place to live
at if I dont get home in time I want you to go
and see James Clark I think you can do well there
you say you a great of trouble and I expect you
do but cant See the trouble that I do you can see
your children and friends but I am draged away
from you and my dear babes in to a land of
Stranger and heathens where there is any thing
but peace or comfort
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there come orders yesterday to be ready to march in
a moment warning but we dont know where
but I expect to kinston you dont kneed to
write to me any more untill I write to you for
I am going to try to go home if I can in a few days So I must
come to a close I want you to try to serve the
lord and pray for me that I may rach home
to see you and my dear children again tell my
children that I am glad to hear that they are pretty
and that I hope to See them again So no more at
this time but remain your affectionate hausband
and father until death D W Murph
to A E Murph and children tell Mahala
She must Save me a big apple tell Mary J
h[?] to learn fast [2]