February the 26^th 1863

 

Dear Father & Mother & brothers & Sister I take the preasant opportunity to rite a few lines to you hoping they will Finde you all well as I am thankful to say that I am well I am always very glad to hear from you and it would do me a heap more good to se you all but I am willing to wate with patance for the Sake of our beloved Country I know that I could not be Satesfide at home when the Simpsithers are / are cutting up so I dont want to come home untill I can stay for I dont think I could stand it to part with my dear Family and Friends again I hope it will not be long untill this thing will be settled I wish all the Northen simpesithers ware in a pill with a nuff Powder under them to blow them to heaven and I had orders to tuch it off. I hope they will have more Sense than to make it Necessary for an army to pass threw our beloved State for it is awful / to se the distrution of property whare an army goes the fensing is all distroid for 2 or 3 milds around merfreesboro and from hear to Nashville within site of the rode their is agreat many large farms that their aint hardly a rail left or any timber left to make rails. We are still leying in camp near Merfreesboro and I havent any idear how long we will stay hear but I hope we will stay untill the wether settles we have had a heap of rain latly it has rained for 36 ours and it is still raining rite along / I told Sarah that I would sende hir a little Money but I havent had any chance to sende it yet if I dont get a chance to sende it before long I will sende it in a letter but I will let you know when I send it and how I sende it I will have to close for this time hoping to remain your loving Sun and Brother

W^m Forder to G & C Hubbard

& Children

 

Rite as often as you

Can

                        rite Rite Rite

 

[upside down, recto]

I forgot to say that Jim Mc is well fat and Sasey

SOURCES