February the 27^th 1864

Chattanooga Tenn

 

Dear Sarah I take the preasant opportunity to rite to you hoping thoes few lines will finde you all well as I am happy to say that I am well and enjoying the best of helth I will now tell you what I got to day. I got a letter from you, one from billey and Julia and I have got both my shirts and a pair of socks I expect they was the last pair you sent both pair that I have got are black and I got Maliseys likeness to day I think it is very nice but I would rather of had it standing up but it will do very well I am very much a bliged to you for your cindness /

 

Well Sarah it is uslas to talk about thanks for I cant express my love for you and you know that I am thankful to you for all you cind acts. God bless you and preserve you from all harm is my prayer

 

o yes the neck tie that is rather to much stile for a soldier but I will ware it a Sundays just for you sake and resk the consequenses

 

I will now tell you that the 38^th arrived hear night before last. they are in camp only a little peace from us

 

o yes I for got to tell you that I got a letter from you last Monday I am sory to hear that you are all bothered with such bad colds but I hope all of you will be clear of them befor this comes to hand / I feald sory for pore Billey tell him I will rite to him in a few days

 

Well I cant think of anything to rite to day so I will close for this time you want to know how I was of for postage stamps I have got several yet there is nothing in the clothing line that I want now I have got a good supply now but I will close for this time you must excuse me for not riting more

 

I still hope to remain your loving and true husband and Father Wm Forder to Sarah & Malisa Forder

 

God bless you and preserve you from all harm is my prayer

I will rite a few lines to Julia /

 

Well Julia Jim says for me to tell you that he is setting hear cross leged talor fashen patching his pants he dosent appear to understand the buisness very well for he has to rip some of it off 3 or 2 times before he can get it rite. Now I advise you to lurn him how the nex time you se him and I think he can get along better by shot

 

Well a nuf of that I was very glad to get a few lines from you I hope thoes few lines will finde you well I hope the time will soon come when we can return home to engoing the society of our friends

 

but I will close for this time rite when ever you can I still hope to remain your loving BrotherWm Forder to Julia M^cmullen

 

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Sarah I will send you a ring that I made out of a shell that come out of the Tenn river

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