Mississippi April 14^th 186[paper hole]

 

Dear Miss

                        Throug the mercies of God I am permitted to communicate a few lines to you in answer to your of 29^th March it has just come to hand found me blessed with pretty good health I hope thes few lines may find you in the best of health. I am pretty well satisfied under the present circumstances tis true I would rather be in Tenn defending my birth State most of the Company that is in camp is well Samuel Bailey has been poorly good part of the time during the last 3 or 4 weeks he is mending but is not able for duty Jacob Morrison is unwell Lt Barnard is sick at a private house C.C. Ball M E Ball Ap Caldwell W^m Christian B K Barnard is all at the Hospt War news here is about the same as it there only we hear the news some quicker when we have gun boat fights our Co was in the fort at Warrington 3 or 4 miles below here 2 or 3 weeks ago & a boat come along down the river & threw several shells at us did no damage our men sank a boat five day before that they cant do much damage at this place with the gun boat we are so well fortified they dont come to see us vary often I dont think we will fight much / here no way but if we do it will bee with cannon it is cool here to day and is always after a rain last night was cool & rainey the low lands is all covered with water to day. wee have had some fine wether few day back the timber is about as green as it gets atall Miss Mary I kindly thank you for the two lines you cent me the next time you right to me right some worth reading I am at a loss how to answer your letter & if you will give me a long one & give me all the news in was vally then you may look for something from me I will close for the present by requesting you to right on the reception of this let me hear how the girls is gitting along in generel if any of them is likely to marry or not

 

                                                                                    I still remain your

                                                                                    friend & well wisher Till Death

To Miss Mary Crawford                                                         for the present fare well

                                                                                    G. W. Britton

 

Miss Mary you have my best wishes I am well & harty & hope this may find you in good health. I dont see the fun here that I did while with the girls in Hawkins I have a lively time but I hant saw but 2 or 3 girls in Miss what is here is duch or at least cant attrack the attention of East Tennesseans Good by Mary Crawford           W^m Long

 

[top margin upside down]

 

Miss Melinda Crawford I cend you my best accomplaments & thank you for your kind letter I put Marys name to this I intend it for you both ritte to me soon again Fare well G. W. Britton To Melinda Crawford

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