Gordonsville  V^a

Jan 24^th/64

           

Dear Brother & Sisters

                                    I received your kind favours a few days ago I was truley glad to heare from you all & to heare that you wer well I was sorry to heare that mothers health was not good

                                   

I have no news to communicate to you at this time there is nothing stiring at this time down this way I was glad to here that you had sutch a fine meeting I cincerely hope that all who joined will hold ought faithful to the end but alas I fear there will be a great many that will not hold ought

                                   

I am very sorry to heare that my boots are not done yet my boots that I have on are getting quite thin they are / not fit to weare sutch weather as this I will have to do with these untill I can do better I am sorry that Cousin James has lost my measure I would like for you to be working on my coat some I want my suit as soon as I get home I expect to get marryed some time in next month if I can make all arangements to suit we have the day all ready set but I have not decided whether I will come up to it yet or not but I think I will if all things works right

                                   

I do not know when I will get to come home I have put in a furlough but have not heard from it yet I am looking for it every day I hope it will come in this week I think it has had time to have bein approved and returned to me if I get it buy the firs of Febuary I will be satisfied that is as soon as I want / to come home I will get some needles and pins before I come ought

                                   

Laura I am sorry to heare that my Dearest Emma is gon away to S. Carolina I feare I will never see her loveing face a gain no heare tha winning voice of hers I am allso sorry that I canot be at those wedings you spoke of but never mind I will have one of my own some of these dayes before long. laura give my love to Molley & M^rs Kidd

                                   

Lewis I am truley glad to heare that you are still at home & hope you will stay there untill you get well dont think of going to the Companey untill you get entirely well whether you get a detail or not no person is going to arrest you while you are not fit for duty if they do shoot them down you had as well / die one way as another but you nead have no fears of being arrested while you are unfit for duty I am in hopes you will have a fine time at the wedings you spoke of I would like very mutch to be there myself

                                   

Mother I am in hopes that this may find you better I can never expect to see you well while this war lasts for I know you caus your self a great deal of unnecessary trouble abought my self and lewis if you can command your feelings so as to think as little as posible abought us it will be a great deal better for you we are both bound to serve while the war lasts or untill we are killed my love to all my old friends & beleive me as ever your Dutiful Son & affectionate Brother T. W. Collay

 

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tell James loyd that I will bring him some alls & the knives if I can get the knives in Lynchburg & tell him / to call his daughter Kattie if he wants me to have the name

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