Magnolia, Duplin, County. N. C.
Oct 16 th 1863
My Dear Mother
I Received your veary
kind letter afew days ago, And I was
veary happy to here from you, And
here that you ware Well. And I all-
so Received aletter from Cousin Ma-
tilde the Same day. And Was glad
to here from her and the rest of
Familey. But I veary sorry to
heare that they all had Bin
Sick. Mother I am at Magnolia at
Work yet, But I cant tell how
long I Shall Stay here, I am enjoy-
ing of my Self Well here, And I
like to stay here, veary much in
deed, all the good newse that I hav
to tell is that the Balance of our Com-
pany has got Back from Charleston,
I was out at the camp the outher
Night, And all the Boys Ware in
fine helth, And good life, We hav
not got a sick man in our company
at this time, Mother I hav still
[page 2]
Better newse to tell you, and that is
that I Was informed last Night By
our Captain that our Brigad Was
ordered Back to good old North Carolina
I look for them to Morow Night, our
Regiment has Wone a name in
South Carolina that never Will
Bee forgoten for Generrations to come
Dear Mother I Saw Cousin
Jhon , Smithwick to day one his
Returne from Peters. Burge He
Wase going to Georgia, he said that
he would pass By here againe
Between now and christmas,
Times is all quiet here at this time,
We had afine Raine here last
Night But the Weather is fine
to day , Mother you ware Saying Some-
thing about Bracking upt House
keeping in your letter to me, you
Ware Saying that Cousin Susan
Pope wanted you to go and live
With hear, I think that you had
Better Brack upt and go and
liv With hear, I am Willing to
it and I think that it will
Bee the Best thing that you
[page 3]
Can do far I cant see how you
are agoing to get along theare this
Winter With no person to help you
none. you Will hav meat anought
to last you the Next year and it
Wont take mutch Corn for you.
Mother I Want you to send me my
Shirts as sone as you can get them
Mad for I Began to need them
I must come to a close for the
Want of Something to Write, Thies few
lines leaves me Well at present,
and I hope that thies few lines
may reach and fine you injoying
the Same great Blessing, I am
in fine helth at this time, nothing
More at present, only I Remaine
your affectionat Sone untill
Deth, you must Write as
Sone as you get this letter,
Giv my lov to all inquiing
friends }
Direct your letter to Magnolia
Duplin County North Carolina, in
the care of Capt W. B. Lanier,
Company H 61 Regt N C. Troop
Edgar} Smithwick