PetersBurg Va Virgina Horspitel

Sept 25th 1864

Dear Wife and Children I seat my
self down to Rite you afew lines
to let you now that I am well only
my side and my hips and knees I
doo hope and pray to god that these
few lines will come to hand and
find you all well I have not drawd
no money yet and I dont now
when I will if you cant git along
with spending that silver let it
go tha will be money after we are
dead and gon I have got about
too thirds of that tobacco that you
sent me yet and I wanted to bring
sum of hit home with me when
I come home but I dont Recking
that I will tell the Children that
I want them to bee good children
and serve the lord and never
turn back to the world as long
as tha live for it done me [????]
good when I heard that tha had
joined the Church than any thing
[page 2]
of since I have left home only I was glad
to hear when you was delivered it
seems like that it done me more
good when I heard that Elizabeth
and Thomas had Joined the church
I want you to tell to Rite
to me if he is alive yet I for got
to Rite to him tell him that I pray
for him to be spared to live till
I can git to see him I wish that
he could git to come to my Company
if he has to come back any more
I hope and pray to god that he wont
have to come back Dear Wife
I have not got no letter sence
the one that was dated the 19 Aug.
it seems long to me I hope and
pray that the lord will have mursey
on you all and spare your lives
to live till I git to come home
again and see you all once more
god is our helper and all that
can help it looks hard that I cant
git to come home F.M. Poteet to M.A.E. Poteet
and bless and save you all is my prayer