[letter written by Calvin Childers]

Camp near Orrange C H
Dec the 17th 1863
Dear
Father mother brothers and Sis
ters after my best respects to you
I embrace the present opportunity
of writing you a few lines which
by reading will inform you that
I am well at this time truly and
for ever hoping thes few lines may
reach you in due time and find
you well and doing well I havent no
news interesting to rite at present
[“only remain” crossed out] only times is hard
hear and worse fast approaching
I am a fraid there is no news
in camps at this time every
thing is Still a long our lines
you would be glad to See you
all once more be fore deathe parts
us So no more at present only
rite Soon Most respected your
Thornton Sexton to
Pryor Sexton and family
[page 2]
A few lines from George W Black
burn that I am well and harty at
this time truly and for ever hoping
thes few lines may reach you in due
time and find you all well and
doing well I have no news interesting
to rite at present more than thornton
has rote only I would be glad to
See you all once more but there
is no chance for that at this time
but I hope this war will end
So we can be together once more
So you must write Soon and
often and fail not in
So doing and gave me all
of the news in ashe
So no more
Most respectfuly yours
George W Blackburn
to Pryor Sexton and family