Mollie the first time you see C.C. Loid I want you to tell him to write and give me the names of all the men he knows of that are trying to get exempt from the draft for I want to know who they are 

 

            When you write to me again I want you to give me a full discription of Woodriver of what is going on & of what is most likely to take place and of what has taken place &c Also tell me who has mooved away and who has come to make that their homes since I left. And who they are and what they look like &c Tell me whither you think there would be any chance for a soldier to mary there at the close of this war or not. And tell me how mutch you think it would cost a man to keep a small family there, per weak. And if you think I can mary tell me who / it is if I know her and if I dont know her give me a short discription of her.

 

            Well Mollie when you write to me again I want you to be shure and give me the names of those gents around Upper Alton and Woodriver and Fosterburg that is trying to get exempt from the draft on account of their disability such as blindness and stiff backs and consumptiveness &c And then watch the Telegraph. We will write to the Telegraph for certain reasons that I will not hear mention. Well I believe I have wrote about all that I know so I shall close my letter soon. Give my love to all the folks at home and / tell them to write Give my respects to all inquiring friends You can tell Miss Shaffer that I am truly obliged to her for her compliment and you can tell her that I send her my best wishes that she may live a long life and a mery one Also that I wish her a hapy New Year. Tell Uncle Jo to eat a big diner for me and to bare down on the mince pies tolerbel hard and To make a large gash in the gobler and think of me.

 

            Mr. Paschal E. Prewitt sends his best respects to Miss Shaffer in return. I believe that I have wrote all for the preasant hoping to hear from you soon I remain your Brother

Solomon Fransis Wood

 

[front margin]

 

P.S. Direct to me at Co. "K" 80^th Ills "Vols" I. Bridgport Ala

            Yours truly write soon

 

[upside down]

 

Please hand those verses to Jim Wood Esqr

SOURCES