Magnolia, Duplin County N. C.
Oct 9 th 1863
My Dear Mother,

I hav again taken the
opportunity of droping you afew lines
to inform you that I am well at
present, And I hope thies lines may
Reach and fined you enjoying the
same Blassing. Mother I can Say
to you that I am in the Best helth
that I had since I hav Bin in the War,
Mother I am at Magnolia now at
Work on Stables for the Mules, I hav
Bin Baleing upt fodder for the last three
days, I can Bale upt Eight thousand
Pounds, Cant tell how long that I shall
Stay here, But I think that I Shall
here Some time, I am under the
Command of Capt quin Shaw, he
is aveary nice man, I like to Stay
here veary much indeed, Magnolia
is right on the Wilmington and
Weldon rail Road 47 Miles north
of Wilmington } Mother I hav
no newse of any importance to
Write all is quiet here now
We hav had a large Revival going
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on in kenansville for the last
fifteen days. they hav had a happy
time of it there I can say to
you that I Saw Cousin John,
Smithwick yesteday on the
cars, But I had no time to talk
With hime, he sayed that he
Was in the Islands a short time
since,
President Davis Passed throu-
gh this place the outher day But
I did not see him, my self But
I tried to see hime; Mother I will
Enclose ten Dollars in this letter
for you, So nothing more at
only I Remaine your affectnat
Sone untill Death,
When you Write my Direct your
letter to Magnolia Duplin Co
you must as Sone you get
this letter for I Want to here from
you veary Bad in deed. I hav not had
aletter from you in two Months,
And cant tell the reason that you
Dont Write to me often then
you do } Edgar Smithwick