July, 28th 18.64.
My Dear son
I have recievd your
letter of the 18th and I was very glad to hear
that you were well I am as well as common
my health is better than it has been I keep up
all the time and work I have not any thing
of importance to write Robbert Jones has
gone in the army is above Weldon som where
every body was sorry when he went away
he was so good helping the poor neybbours
to do any work they had to do I shal miss
him I know there has been a great many
boys carried off from this county poor things
many of them have gone to there long home
James Brown and Telman Hardison has com
home with an arm off poor felows are
cripples for life Joe Gibson wil leave here
on the 9th of August, I belive the mail
goes to Columbia I suppose you
want to write to Sally Davanport but
I dont know what you want to write
to her for I hope you dont think of
her more than a common acquaintance
she is a good girl but she is not smart nor
she wont work if she can help it and that
wont do for you if you ever com home you
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you will need some one to help you work
and not one to pull you back but you can
write to her in a friendly way if you have
a mind to do so I have nothing to say, for I like
her very well my self but I dont think she
would suit you, you say you have not been
paid off yet I hope you will be paid off be
fore long and send me som money for I have
not got a dollar I have sent the last cent I
to the mill to get me some meal I have got
thurteen dollars of state money but I want
to keep that to buy some meat if I can I
have tried to sell my bond but I have
not sold yet but I will sell it if I can I
dont want you to send me all your money
I want you to keep enough to buy such things
as you need and my dear child I want you
to try and get a furlough and come home as
soon as you can ask captain Biggs to let you
come home and see me if he pleas I want
you to come and settle your buisness with
Joel write me soon as you can after you get
this Matelda sends her love to you and
miss ann Jones sends her best respects
to you cousin Ella is getting better she
has been very sick the resst are all well
now my dear son I must bid you farewell
and may the Lord bless you is the prayere
of your dear mother, Hannah Smithwick
when you write you write on the other side of this paper
I did not know it was double