February the 20^th 1863

 

Dear Sarah I take the preasant opportunity to rite a few lines to you in answer to your cinde letter that came to hand yesterday and the Miniturs came all rite I was extreamly glad to get them I think yours looks just like you but Lisseys I cant tell any thing about it I think it would have taken better in dark close but it will doo very well every body wonders how I came to get such a good looking woman thats our buisness not / theirs and they say that is a nice little girl to. the Socks havent come yet But you neadent to bother about that for I have Socks a plenty. We got a little Money yesterday and but a little we only got 3 Months pay and after paying our clothing bill we hadent much left we are aloud 3 1/2 Dollars a Month for Clothing and you know we had to draw a full Suit in the start. so after setteling the Clothing bill I got 21^D.85^c and there is a month and a half behind to go uppon I cant send very mutch home I had boried a little / and I want to ceep a little to witch you will have no objection I know. the express man will be hear to day I guess if not he will be hear in a day or to and then I will Express $12.00 to Salem in your Paps name. this is a very small sum but it is the best I can do to ceep 4 or 5 dollars to buy a little something fit to eat once in a while. this will be a nuff to bye you and our little girle a dress or to. you said you wished I could se the little girls pleying together I wish I could it would be Joy beyond mesure /

 

You wanted to know if my teeth get hered any more I havent had the tooth Ache 5 minits for 4 months or more. I expect you would like to know wether I am well or not I can tell you that I feald better now than I have for a long time the rest of the boys are all well except T Sands he is prety sick he has a severe cold settled on his lungs I hope when this comes to hand it will finde you all well I will have to close for this time rite soon from your loving husband W^m Forder to Sarah A Forder

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