[letter written by Calvin Childers]

Camp near orrange C H
Dec the 10th 1863
Dear
Father mother brothers and
Sisters I embrace the present oppor
tunity of writing you few lines
that I am well at this time truly
and for ever hoping thes may reach
you in due time and find you all
well and doing well I received your
very kind letter bearing date of
Nov the 28th which gave me great
Sadisfaction to hear from you and
to hear you was well I have nothing
interesting to write at present more
than we are hear in our old camps
yet but I dont now how long we
will Stay hear but I think we will
Stay hear all winter I hope So I want
you to come as quick as you can
you Stated in your letter you received
three letters from me I think
[page 2]
you will git more letters from me
Calvin Childers he writes all of my
letters he writes them when I want
him to tell his folks he is well
fat and Saucy there is no news
interesting to rite at the present
there is no talk of any fighting
hear at this time I think the fight
ing will be in the west John
Black and G V Blacburn is well
at this time we expect to move
to the west our wagon trains is
ordered to Stay hear on account
of us having to move to the west
I can in from you I need Some
thinks but I recon I can make
out without them I need Some
pants and a hat is all I need
at the present and I want
Some apples cheese and all you
[page 3]
can Send tell Hiram and david
I haint forgoten them yet and I
hope they haint me tell them I
I want them to write to me
I would be glad to See them
and be at home with them this
winter but there is no chance for
it now but I hope this war will
Soon end So we can be together
once more So you must rite
Soon and often and fail not
in So doing and gave me all
of the news in Ashe So no
more at present only remain
your affectionate Son until
death Thornton Sexton
to Pryor Sexton
Mariah Sexton
Calvin Childers sends his best respects to you