Mcdowell Co teusday August 30th 1864

Dear husband I seat my self this evning
to let you know we are onley tolerable
well the children is complaining I
expect they are taking Measels but
I do hope this will reach your kind
hands and find you will I want you to
keep out of them fights as much as
you can they say that pease will be
made before 3 Months I hope and pray that
it will be made so that you can come
home you know that I see hard times
with out you I hav 41 dollars of your
silver yet but I dont know how long
I will hav it I haint no confederate Money
to pay postage there is 22 lbs salt
coming to me and I cant get it for want
I am going to try to borrow
I can I hav to go barfooted and my
health aint very good I dont no where
I will get lether for winter or not it is
very high heard from brother Thomas
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to day he aint no better they hav sent
for me to go up there he has the Dyarear
Marion Higgins sed your legs was
swollen very bad try and get a
furlow and come home if you can I
would like to see you and for you to be
hear to help me while the children
has the Measels I am afraid I wont get
to save much fodder if the children gets
sick but if you cant come dont grieve a-
bout me I will do what I can and the
best I can we cant by nothing with
confederate Money but salt and postage
if I dont get this place I will hav to moove
to where Mother lived on your land if I
perish Dear Francis pray to god to provide
for me to make support for our dear
children I pray for you constantly for
life to be spared to get home again to
Great god shield My dear husband from all
& danger Martha Poteet to Francis Poteet
god bless and save you farwell Francis