M^r E R Gordon                                                           Abbeville October 21^st 1863

 

My Dear Son

                        I take up my pen this morning to write you A few lines to let you know we are all well and I do sincerely hope this may find you enjoying the same great blessing I received your [paper hole] letter on saturday last which brought us the glad news that you were well we have also heard this week that you were well you must excuse me for not writing sooner in the week I have been very busy Reebeca Ann has been looking for Alexander home every day this week she got a letter from him yesterday she looks for him this morning [?] sent me word this morning if I wrote to you to tell him the were all well and the reason she did not write to day is expecting him home this evening. W^m received a letter from Tommy 3 days ago dated 4^th which brought us the glad news that he had come of safe on the last [paper holes] and was in good health. the were then at [?] on the Rappahannoc the drove the Yanks back to Manasses junction and tore up the railroad from there to the Rappahannock A distance of 25 miles so say the newspaper Tom said the had to work all day in the rain and / had nothing to shelter them all night he says a great many there beleive  the will be sent to Tennessee but i hope it may not be so

 

you wished to know if I would be willing to give 16 dollars per pound for tea i do not like to do it you may wait a while perhaps you may have a chance to get it cheaper and if not i will write to you again W M [?] was to have started back to day but I think he is not going till monday M^r Ketton is to start this morning for Virginia M^r James C Stevenson is quite sick the Doctor says his disease is typhoid fever I hope you will write soon and let us know how your health is and if you are getting strong again i must come to a close I have been stirring about a little more than I was call to be and my hand trembles so I can scarcely write at all your Father and all the family joins me in sending our kind love to you may the blessing of God remain with you is the prayer of your loving Mother

                                                                                                            Mary Gordon

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