Camp 61st Regt. near Richmond, Va
Oct 16 the 1864
My Deare Mother
I now Embrase the
opportunity of Writing you a few lines
to inform you that I am Well at pres
ent. hopeing that thies few lines may reach
you and fines you enjoying the Best of helth.
Dear Mother I hav no news to Write
you at present, only we had a Fight on
the 12 inst. the yankees charged our Brest
Werks and we repulsed them three times
With heavy lose. Mother I hope that the
most of the heard Fighting is over for
this camp paine, Mother I Will enclose
25.00 Dollars in this letter for you I would
Send you more But I am a fraid to risked
in a letter. I Want you to wirte me as sone
as you git this letter and let me know
if the money reached you safe. as sone
as I here from that I Will send you some
more. Mother I Want to here from you
veary Bad in deed I hav not had a letter from
in some time. and I want to here from
you, I am a fraid that you are not able
to Write [????] }
[page 2]
Mother I was veary to here that you
had Bin so Sick Joe Gibson told me that
you had Bin veary Sick in deed
he came Bak to the Company. Joe has
Bin Sick Since he was Back,

Mother I Will come to a close for
this time, for the pen is so Bad that I [??]
can not Write. So Nothing more at
present, only I remaine yours untill
Death}
[??]
Direct your letter to Petersburg
Virginnia in care of Capt Biggs,
Company H 61st Regt n c trop
Clingman Bregad I hope [??]
I Want you to [?????] this letter
as sone as you read it, and not let
no Boddy see it }
Edgar Smithwick