Shandoia Valley

Feb 21^th 1865

 

Dear Mother

To night I will answer your most kind and welcome letter wich I received a day or two ago I was glad to hear from you It found me well as usal and injoying my self first best I have been in the woods all day to day I went to pick out some timber for the church but did not have any thing to do my self I wrode out on my horse and thare was a house neer by so I went in thare and talked with them a while I told / them that they was agoing to get whipt if they did not look out But they sayd that genrel Lee would give us all we wanted But they could not make me believe that The news come to night that Charleston was taken I hope it is so I tell you they are getting afraid down in South Carolina Old Sherman is the fighting man they say them selves that they are whipt It is very nice wether here now but some mudy under foot

 

Mother all of the Jay boys that inlisted in Sixty two are agoing to be discharge this / spring so it is reported If so wallace and Alfred and Edy will go home Mother I have just been out dores to find out what the cheering was we heard offel cheering and we thout that the Rebs was charging in on us But I guess it was cheering because our men have got Charleston but if it had been the Joneys I guess you would not got this letter for I probly should left it on the table for the Joneys to read But I guess they wont trouble us much this winter

 

Mother I went down the other day to get my / picture taken but he was gone I was a going to send it to you but I will get it soon as I can I must close for it is time to go to bed

 

write soon as you get this and oblige me

                                                           

From Your

ever true Son

Ira A Torrance

 

Mother I am ashame of this letter it looks bad for it is a poor pen

SOURCES