Saturty morn               Nov 9^th

 

Dear Folks setting on the beds twenty boys in tent singing whistling playing cards &c I am well as any other he and contented I spoke about my Cloak when I was at home last but I think I dont want it as it will be cumbersome to me and I have plenty of clothing to keep me warm if the paper comes to me before I finish this I shall send it if not I will send it before we go off you must do as you think best about the things at marlboro Sam Staples was her mondy and tuck some pains to find me Sam Wiley is here and going with us we shall go off the 15^th as Capt Chapman told me this morning although the men dont know it and he wished me to keep it private/because if the men knew it they would all want to go home first we shall go by water when we go got Sam and Ellen was here yesterday and if I am here thanksgiving he is agoing to send me A turkey you must write me soon you need not be afraid that I shall not come home again for I shall and own A good wood lot Henrietta if you are married in my absence you must keep me A piece of cake against I come home I wish I had five hundred dollars for you

                                                            yours

                                                                        cant stop to write more

                                                            JM Billings

 

NB if I don’t get the certificit for you to send I shall get Sam to send it to you

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