[left edge of sheet cut off, words supplied where possible]

 

October 3^th 1864

Viaginia Co. C. 150. P. V.

 

                                                                                                                        James I recev your most cind letter on the [?]th of September was glad to lern that you was wall I was glad to get a letter from you. I was sory that it was not longer letter [?] more of it James I am wall and hop that thease few lines may reach you in good helth and goying to scholl. you most not forget to rite to me a gain rite once a weack if you can get some good riting paper some good envlopes and ink you dont rite on such poor paper get some good if you can find it dont try to rite on such poor paper /

 

James my best advise to you is to try and lern all you can while you hav a chance and when you ar yong I mit hav a good posish now if I had oneley tend close to my steuddeys while in school but I have no lernning so I am a boor privet oneley $16 a month I am in hopes that you will [?] and lern James rite soon as you can remember your por father while he is in serves and expose his helth. This is from your frend

                                                                                                            Riley

 

Lovicy why do you not rite to me I hav not had a letter from you for some time Last wed nite we had orders to packup we don so and march a bout three miles before day lite up to the weldon railroaid. we have a hospital establish close to the new R.R. / I am with the 1. Deivision and so is the steward. we berred 7 soldiers and quit a nomber of arms and legs Saturday. I saw 14 jonnes this morning that was taken prisners thare was one captain amosnt tham. we hav berred [?] in all sence we came here. Our bregade has not ben in the fite. do you no who [?]ley Carpenter is I wood like to no who was drafted in Croford Co. who volenterd to keep from being drafted I wood like to here how you common with your falls work I must bring this to a close so it will go out this morning Thare is 3 train of cars gon by this morning

Fare wall one and all

write with out fail       Respectfuley

[?] from your frend

                                    Riley Carpenter

SOURCES