Near Dalton    Feb 11^th/64

 

            Dear Susan I will rite you a fu lins I am well at this time I am in hops that this may find you and the children well and all the concetion I reseaved a leter the other day from Mary She rote tha tha ware in tolible good health we have not had are other case of the Small pocks it have ben nearly 2 weaks since the last ons was taken out of the Regiment I have ben veary uneasey a bout you and the children every since you rote a bout Dr Huff pasing by your house I am in hops that/none of you will take it

 

Susan I was veary much disaponted when Mr Brooks got back and never brot me nare leter

 

Well Susan we have spent a good many more cold nites in our cabins than I expected though I dont think that we will stay hear much longer we have ben hear longer now than we eve have any whear be fore since we have ben in survs though I dont think the yanks will bother us hear soon

 

we have had a fine time hear ever since we have ben hear the Regiment have ben prety/well suplide from home since we ben hear and thare have ben a good meny of the men’s Wives to see them though I dont know as that is much satisfaction to theme to meat in camp for I dont think that a respetable Woman can enjoy hear self in camp thare was 6 or 7 hear a bout 2 weaks a go and the Smallpocks give them a scear and then our artilrey men fired a fu ronds to try thear Guns and then that night we got orders to be reday to move at a minuts warnen and the next/morning thare was not a woman to be fond in the 46

 

Well I had beter quit for my paper is so sory that the ink spreds so you canot read what I have rote and thare is such a litle sence in what I have rote you will get tiard and quit trien to read it and I wold not blame you for it though it is a bout as good as I can do on this and if you can do any beter than this is don I wold like veary well to see it

I remain your afectionet

                                    Husband          W A Stephens

 

[top margin: Susan I forgot to tel you E B Stephens sent me a fine [?] of buter an Eges and Sosag]

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