[letter written by J. J. Testerman]

In camp Near ornge va
Febreay the 16, day 1864

My Dear, affection father
and Mother iseat myself
down this eaving to rite
you a few lines to let you
now that iam well as to
helth Ever hoping these
few lines will find you
all well ihav herd that
Sally wiet was ded and
one of her children it
was rote in Eli blevnes [1]
letter tha he got it this
Eaving ihav herd that
elvriy child was ded
nancy ihav herd that
Brother hyram was ded
and that father was
Bad off iam Sorry to
hear it ihant had but
one letter from you
Sence Mary left her
idont think you rite
mutch or else i wood git
more
[page 2]
Also a nother letter come
her this eaving dated the
13 of febuay 1864
that father was dead and
that Saly wiet also was ded
and one of her children
and one of elviry children
was ded i am Sorry to here
that nuse iwant you to
rite to me as qick as this
letter comes to hand
for idont git Eny letters
from you By the male
iwant you to rite a letter
to me ever male irite three
letters to you ever week
when you git this letter
iwant you to rite me
the truth a bout it
i remane your son till
death farewell
from thornt Sexton
to Prier Sexton