Kingston NC November 8th 1863

My Dear Wife and children I seat my self
down this blessed Sabeth Morning to let
you now that I am well at this time hoping
these lines may Reach you and find you
injoin the same blessings I want you to Rite
offin and Rite me all the newse I want you
to see Higgins and tell him that I want him
to doo all that he can and doo it as quick as
he can for it seems to me that I cant stay
hear but it seems that I have to stay it seems
to me that my heart will Breake when
I think of you and my little Children May
god Bless thim and save them is my prayer
tell Mr that I want him to git that
subscripton as quick as he can that I want to
come home and see them it tis lonsom times
hear when I think of my littel children and My
loving Wife that I cant stay hear no longer
but I have to stay but it tis hard for me to
stay if this war was at an end I could come
home if God is mine I am his
the solders says that tha are coming home in
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March whether tha is peace are not
I have spent five Dollars for tobaco sense
I have come down hear it takes 150 to 200 [1]
Dollars a week I thought that Pery Walker
would uv come home before now but he hant
got his furlow yet and I dont now when he
will I have got a littel money now but I
Dont now how long I will have any if any
body would come home I would send you
sum I send you fivty cents worth of stamps
in this letter the reason I dont pay my
postedg tha come to you as quick again as
if I had pade the postedg we are in good
winter quarters nowe tha have Brick chimneys
I want you to Rite to me whether you
have sold Babe yet are not so nothing
more at present only I Remain your
loving husband until death
F.M. Poteet to his loving Wife M.A.E. Poteet