October the 29 63

 

            Dear Sarah I take the preasant opportunity to rite a few lines to you in answer to your very cinde letter that came to hand some 3 days ago. it was dated marked the 20^th I hope thoes few lines will find you & our little Girl and all the rest of the friends well, as I am happy to say that I am well. the rest of the boys are all well I got a letter from Jim M^c day before yesterday he is well and dooing fine. you seam misunder stand me about the furlow buisness, witch do you think would be the best to be whineing and crying around for a furlow when you know / you cant get it or would it be best to be contented and take things as easy as bosable I would give as mutch for a furlow as you would, and would be as glad to se you as you would me but it is an imposibility all that we can do is to wait with patience untill our time is out I long to se that happy day. I hope that God will take care of us to meet again to engoy each others society

 

            We are still leying in our old position their has ben some prety hard fiting hear for the last 2 or 3 days. you will se by the papers that our men have crost the river below lookout mountain their was / 12 of us drivers took our horses and went about 2 milds and took 4 guns out of the first Ohio battery and went down to the river while our men drove the rebs away from the other side and laid the Pontoon bridge but the papers will tell you all about it. evry thing is quiet to day but I dont know how long it will last. the rebs still think they will be able to take Chattanooga, but I think it will be the soarest take they ever took if they do. you said you would send me Maliseys miniture have it taken standing if you can for I want to se how tall she is /

 

you wanted to know if we had to set on our horses in time of battle. We have to be on them a part of the time but when we are standing still we generaly dismount and if the bullets are coming very close we can ley down on the ground if we want to and their aint many that have to be told to ley down when the bullets come whistleling around thick and fast if there is any thing els you want to know I will tell you as near as I can

 

I will now close for this time you kneadent make your self uneasy about my coming home when my time is out for if I am spared to return I will come as soon as I can but I must close for this time still hoping to remain your loving companion while life shal last and after death to meet around Gods throne to sing a new song

 

but I must close so good by for this time still hoping to se you

soon Wm Forder to S.A. Forder

 

I send my best respect to all the friends rite as often as you can

 

[upside down]

Sende me a few extra postage

stamps for I cant get any hear

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