Abe                                                     Liberty                                    I wonder

                                                                &                                                     Jeff D.

                                                            Union

 

                                                                        Camp near Newtown              Nov 19^th 1863

 

Dearest Cousin.

                                                                                                            I now seat myself to answer your kind ll letter which I recd this morning. Well Coz to begin with I have not got a postage stamp to put on but I think enough of you for all that. I think you are worth three cents yet. but the thing of it is I cannot get the stamps at any price for they are not to be had but thinking you would^nt be sorry to hear from your country cousin now in the Lowlands of Louisiana. I seated my noble self: head and ears erect to write you a short but sweet letter. my dearest Cousin I^m well and in fine spirits. I^m camped in an old cane-field./ I^m in for the war. I^m in for the peace. I^m in for the Union, and I^m in for the niggers. that is I^m in for one of them. all this I^m in for in the [picture] but one thing I^m in for that is for the Union. Well Cousin the news concerning our Army does not amount to much, we have pushed ahead and have fell back but did not fall back because we were obliged to. when we go ahead the Rebs run and when we fall back they follow us back our men some of them have had one or two small Battles with them and whipped them every time. we learn this morning that the old Empire State has proved herself to be Union. may God bless her and her people. it makes the Soldiers feel fine for they think they have got friends at home yet. we also learned that Charleston was ours. I hope it is true for I think it is their Strongest hold./

 

I hope that before another year rolls around this wicked war may be ended for I want to see things going on again as they used to. but the day has not yet arrived, although it may be near at hand I suppose you are enjoying yourself I wish I was going with you down to Uncle Edwards. how does Bule get along does he feel as good as he used to. I would like very much to see him and Charley too. I suppose he is liveing the life of a soldier yet. give my Respects to him when you write, and now Cousin as I am obliged to close to help the boys hoe down the old cane rows for our street, I will bid you good Bye for the present; give my Love Respects and best wishes to Uncles Aunts Grandfather Grandmother Cousins and all, and don’t forget to write to your affectionate Cousin

Sarah                                                                                                                           Moke

SOURCES