[entire letter in the hand of John M. Black]

camp near Orange
CH Va Dec 4 1863
Dear wife I am tolerably well
at present hoping this may find
you well. I have just drawn a
large lot of clothing 2 Shirts pr of drawers
1 roundabout 1 pr of pants 1 pr of Socks
and a Splendid Woolens Shirt in fact
I have more clothes than I care about
I want you to write whether any
of the Ashe boys were killed in the
fight at Lookout Mountain in
Tenn or not I want you to write
Soon and give me all the news I have
not received any letter from you for
about four weeks I have written you
this is the third one Since I received
any from you Tell old Mr Blackburn
for George he is well Tell Tom
and Hannah Cal is well Jim is
Still at the Hospital Cal Childers
and Thonrt Sexton are well
Kiss Toby for me & Send my best
respects to olly Jno M Black

Dear Father & Mother
I am well hoping
this may find you well I have just drawn
plenty of clothes and a Splendid blanket
and I have an excellent pair of shoes
I dont want any thing from home
except Something to eat we get enough
to make out on with what we can
buy If you have any opportunity of
Sending me any thing Send it
There is Some prospect of peace
I am writing in the dark and
must quit
your Son
T Sexton
Prior & Maria Sexton