Near Dalton Ga           Jan 31/64

 

            Dear Susan I will rite you a fu lines to let you no how I am I am not rite well at this time though I am better than I have ben for too or 3 of the last days I have had a verry bad cold I am in hops that thes lins may find you and familey all well

 

Susan I have nothing to rite of interest I will Send a box back home I will get Mr Orsbun or Mr Pearson one to care it from west point if I can and if tha dont care it you can get it cared when Mr Wealch starts to Richmond. I will sent the Coat that you maid it is too heavey to pack in the armey I dont think it will heart if it has to stay in the box a month or too I will send the same box you sen me/

 

Susan I wold like veary well to get to go home though I dont see no chance for me now though I may get a chance some of thes times I fear it will be a good while first Susan when you rite a gain rite how your wheat looks wheather the cold weather have cild it all or not and how meny Pounds of Pork you have and wheather you have a nuf of porevishons and foriedge to last un till you can make more

 

Susan I no nothing more to rite that is good sence I started this thare have ben orders come rond for our regiment to star to its sef as thare is 2 companes that has the small pocks in them I fear that we all will have it be fore it quits 2 cases in 20 yards of our co yesterday and I dont know whether tha have/move out or as I dont visit the companey and I have not inqured a bout it if you hear of any one a goin to come to our regiment you can tel them tha had beter stay a way a while and furlowes will be shore to stop now with us for a while and I think that nothing but rite though I wold like veary well to get to go home if I new thare wold be no danger of my given it to any of you, I had rether stay hear untill the war ends than to cary the Smallpocks home with me. Susan I wold be gld you wold rite ofener than you do I want to hear from you as often as I can          Oh how I wold like to be thare now while it is such prety weather for workin in a farm it looks now like I wold not get too Lazey to work if I cold get the chance now/

 

Susan I will send this by Cosen Jams Piearson he will leave hear Tuesday I recon you must send me a leter by Brooks our mail may stop now untill the the Smallpocks is stoped though the mail may continue I must clos for the presant remain your loving Husband                                W A Stephens

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