[letter written in unknown hand]

Camp Near Summerset Orange Co Va Jan 20th 1864

Dear Father
it is with pleasure that I take my pen
in my hand to answer your kind letter which I
Reed last evening dated the 12th of this month it
Gave me much pleasure to hear that you had
arrived Safely at home and wer all well I was
Sorry to hear of the death of Sallys child but Such
things must occur once and awhile it is a road
we all have to travail Some day or other. I have
no news of importance to write at present ever
thing is quiet on our lines at present I do not think
we will have any fighting here before warm
weather times are are heard here at this time
our rations are very light and I am afraid
they will be a great eal lighter before the war
ends. I wish this troublesome war would come to
a close for I am getting tired of it but I See
no prospect of its ending Soon, we have had
Some very disagreeable mudy and cold weather
Since you left here. I want you to come down again
as Soon as you can Marion is Still in the Guard
house. Lieutenant Carter Says that Marion will come
clear for Cal testerman has owned takeing the
money. Leathham wants to know what become
of Joseph Perry money and things he had with
him nothing more at present So I will come to
close by Saying to you to write Soon and often
This from Thornton Sexton to Prior Sexton
[page 2]
Camp Near Summerset orange, Co, Va. Jan 20th 64

Dear Sister
It affords me much pleasure indeed
to take my pen in hand to to answer your kind
letter date the 10th of this month. I was glad to hear
that you wer well and doing well you Stated
that times wer very hard there it is the Same case here
and I expect it is the case all over the confederacy
we are not getting more than half enough
to eat now I am afraid times are going to be
a Great eal harder before the war ends, every
thing is quiet on our lines at this time. I do
not think we will have any fighting heree
before warm weather I wish this troublesome
war would come to a close for I am getting
tired of it but I See no prospect of its ending
Soon I was very Sorry to hear of So much
Sickness through our Section of country I would
glad to See you but the opertunity will not
permit-of it- Soon I am afraid. I have
nothing more to write at present So I must
come to a close by Saying to you to write Soon
and often
This from Thornton Sexton to Mahala Sexton