Camp Near Pelham

July the 19^th 1863

 

Dear Sarah I take the preasant opportunity to rite a few lines to you in answer to your very cinde letter of the 8^th of this month witch came to hand on the 13^th I was very glad to hear that you and all the rest of the Friends ware well, and I hope when thoes few lines come to hand they ma finde you and Lisey and all the rest of the friends still engoying that great blessing as I am thankful to say that I am engoying the best of helth. We are still engoying the leying in our old camp yet near Pelham evry thing seams to be quiet hear evry thing is going along smoothly at this time I have just received your letter of the 14^th I am sorey to hear that our little girl was sick but I hope she is well / before this

 

I expect you have had quite an exciting time their I was very ancious to hear from you to know weather the scamps pade you a visit or not but it seams that they did not have time to run around mutch I want you to send me the news paper account of the afare as you did of the other raid they made I se by the papers that the theiving band are a way in Ohio it looks strange to me that their cant be a force raised sufficient to head them in their wild carear. but I have no dout but what it is the best thing that ever happened for it will show the Butternuts what the rebs would do if they had a chance I think it is the best thing that ever / happened and when I get home I will tell you why I think so. the prospect is fare for us to get home this fall and I trust to God that it will be so for I long to se the day when peace and quiettude shal prevail over this once happy Country. O wont that be a joy beyond mesure when we soldiers can return to our dear familys and friends. I long to se that happy day

 

you said Paps had got a letter from Jim stating that they had ben on half rashens We have had a great deal less than half rashens ishewed to us ever since we started from merfreesboro untill the last 2 or 3 days we get full rashens of crackers meet coffee and sugar but that is all we do get / from the Comosary department but there is no danger but what we will ceep fat while we get that for there is lots of berrys and Apls and the peaches will be ripe after a while and the corn will be in rostenear in 3 or 4 weaks but you must not think we starved or eaven went hungry, for their was lots of hogs and cattle for meat and potatoes in the gardens for bread but a nuf of that

 

I expect to send you some money in the next letter for the pay master is hear and he will pay us in a day or 2. We are to get 4 months pay this time there is 4 months and 17 days due us. I will have to come to a close for this time my prayer to God is that he will watch over us and preserve our livs to meet again on earth to enjoy our selvs together give my respect to all the friends and tell them to rite when ever they feild like it it always does me a heap of good to hear from any of my friends I got a letter from uncle billey and the Girls last weak they ware all well I rote them an answer the same day but I must say good by for this time rite soon and often

William Forder to Sarah A Forder

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