Gordonsville V^a           

Febuary 7^th 1864

           

Dear Brother

             I received your kind letter a few dayes ago I was truley glad to heare that you wer all well this leaves me well I have had my health first rate for the last five weeks back I feel almost as stout as I ever did my woond has almost ceased hurting me I think in the cours of two or three weeks

                                   

I do not know when I shal get to come home I must get home by the 17^th of this month I must get there by that time if there is any chance in the world you must get some of the girles to help me ought there is no chance for me to get back to my Companey for another month I went before the Medical Board on the first of the month the Phisicians would not / me return to my Company yet I will not get before the board again untill the 1^st of March I have told them all here that I am to be marryed on the 17^th inst I think I will get a furlough on that acount if they require me to get a certifficate from my sweetheart if the require that of me you must get Mollie to send me a promise of marrage I think Major Richards will give me a (10) or (15) days furlough to get marryed if they do let me go I will tell them she is sick & we could not get marryed untill she gets well if I can work this skeam ought I will be at home by the 14^th & if not I do not know when I will get home I should like very mutch to be at home with the boyes I hope they will have a fine time whilst they are at home / well times are tollarable exciteing here to day heavy firing on the Rappid Ann this morning some pretty heavy Artilery fireing this morning some musketry fireing the Yankeys crossed at Mortons ford yesterday evening & was driven back by our forces across the river it is thought they will try to cross again they have bein shelling all along the line to day I do not think there will be mutch fighting yet a while I will close for this time wright soon & let me here from you all I wrote to you to send my money that Charles drew for me & what he owes me besides for bringing his hors ought home Give my love to Mother, Father, & sisters My love to Mollie, Mrs Kidd & Joney James Loyd & Trudy I remain as ever your

                                                                       

True & affectionate

Brother T. W. Collay

                                               

have my boots done soon

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