Dear brother and sister after a long absens I will pen you a few lines which will inform you that me and family is well at present hoping those few lines may reach you in due time and find you and family in good health the connection is all well as far as I no Nancy I have nothing to rite that will interest you in the least I see nothing but trouble and never shall no more for I have lost all that I had in this world that was any comfort and and satisfaction to me I am left here me and my little children exposed to this wide world / I have lately been informed of the death of Henry and and truly sympathise with you for the loss of your son but gods will be done not ours and we must try to bear our troubles with a christian fortitude and hope for a better lot in the future and while murmering for the loss of our deceased friends let us hope our loss is thier eternal gain....

 

tell all the children all howdy for me Ann you must not get married till the war end bury I cant see you but I see your image every day and that is little Wister / silas is still at home I suppose and I wish he may get to stay thare bury I hope you will never have to go to war but I feel for you I fear you will have to go the prospect for peace is quite gloomy Martha and Ema goes to school evry day they are learning very fast I have school in a hundred yds of my door Miss Sally Patton is our teacher Ann I cant brag none on my babys beauty but she is mighty smart her name is Mary Landrum Allice

 

I dont no as I hav any thing els to rite at this time / I want you to write to me soon without fail and give me all the news in full So nothing more I am with the most true respect your affectionate sister Mariah Ann Riddel

to Silas and Nancy Riddel

and children also one and all

this may 4^th 1864

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