April the 5^th 1863

 

Dear Sarah I seat my self this beautiful Sabbath eavning to rite a few lines to you in answer to your very cinde letter that came to hand to day witch was dated April the 2^th I was glad to hear that you ware all well, and I hope when thoes few lines come to hand they may finde you and all the rest of the folks still engoying that greatest of blessing as I am very thankful / to say that I am engoying good good helth at this time as I have since I came in to the Searvice the weather has ben quite cold for 4 or 5 days but to day the sun is shining as clear and war as thoe it it ware May when I say it has ben cold I dont mean it has ben freezing for it hasant froze any for some time We are still leying whar we ware when I last rote in side the brest works and I havent any idear how long we will stay hear / I will now tell you that we have got pay again for 2 months witch was 26 Dollars I am going to put 10 Dollars in this letter for you and when I hear from it I will send some more you said you did not get are a letter last weak I rite a letter to you evry weak and I want you to do the same. you said Pap wanted me to se Jim as he had rote he was sick he was hear to day and one of my old schoomates Himelas Sulivan / Jim said he hadent ben very well for some time but he is well now

 

O Sarah how hapy I should be if I could be at home this eavning to engoy the seet society of my dear little family and friends and I trust it will not be long until I can engoy that great pleasure

 

I shal have to close for this time hoping to remain your loving Husband W^m Forder

 

to his loving Wife

S A Forder      & all the

                        Friends

 

[upside down]

be sure to rite often

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