February the 21^th 1864

Chattanooga Tenn

 

Dear Sarah I seat myself this beautiful Sabath eavning to rite you a few lines in answer to your very cinde letter that came to hand in due time. it was riten on the 13^th of this month I was glad to hear that you was still a live but I was sory to hear that you was aflicted with such bad colds and I was sory to hear that Milton was sick but I hope when thoes few lines come to hand they will finde you all well / as I am happy to say that I am well

 

Well Sarah you seamed to think that I would say you had aught to have more money than that loaned out Now I am not going to say any such thing but I will say that you have ben extreamly saving more so than you had aught to have ben I expect

 

Now I will say as I have said before dont be a fraid to spend your money for any thing you knead and you will pleas me by so dooing

 

I will now tell you what I have done since last pay day I drew 52 dollars that is 4 months pay I sent home 40 Dollars and cept 12 Dollars / I then went to work with my knife making pipes out of larlwood I have made my spending money and paid 17 1/2 Dollars for a watch that I can sell any time for 20 Dollars and I have still 4 Dollars on hand and when this month is out uncle Abe will owe me 52 Dol

 

            James H Delfain has made near 200 Dollars this winter making pipes out of larlwood

 

            in the next place you said you would send me our little Girls miniture that I want you to do at all hazards I would give any thing to se hir but I will have to wait a little longer /

 

I got Isac Bookers letter and rote him an answer while I was at knoxvill I told him not to sell quean as you had said that you would rather I woud ceap hir.

 

            I feald sory for pore Billey to think what a bad fix he will be left in but we must be satesfide with Gods will

 

Well my love I will have to close for this time still hoping to remain you loving and true husband and Father

 

Ma God bless you and presurve you from all harm is my prayer

 

only 8 1/2 months more and then shout shout We are gaining ground

 

            but I must close rite soon

            dont forget to pray for me

            give my respect to all the friends

            Wm Forder to S A Forder

                                    and Child

 

[upside down]

My socks havent come yet I dont think they ever will now but I have got 2 new pair

 

the weather is most beautiful now

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