Bridgeport, Alabama

Mach 5^th/64

 

                        Dear Wife.

                                                I rec^d your kind letter afiew weeks ago and was very glad to hear that you were all favored with that great blessing of God's good health. I answered your letter, which left me still in the enjoyment of good health for which I am ever greatfull to our Lord.

 

Dear Wife I think that health is one of the greatest blessings a soldier or any one else can enjoy. I feel as a family we cannot be too thankful to God for this great blessing / For we certainly have been favored very much. I do hope and pray that the Lord will continue this blessing to all It is my constant prayer that the lord may be with you in your lonely situation and give you strength to live and trust in his promises and that he may help you to teach the children the ways of the Lord that they may grow up in fear of God and become useful men and woman in the service of God—I ask an interest in the prayers of the Church in behalf of the soldiers and our bleeding Country The soldiers need the prayers of the richeous people to encourage them to be good There are so many out of the Ark / of Safety whose lives are in jeopardy every day. We hear of the deaths of soldiers every day and dont know what moment we may be called out to face the enemy. then some must fall, prepared or unprepared. Oh how strange they are so reckless to their great danger. May God forgive them all is my prayer If you see Brother Metcalf give him my respects and tell him Marion is well. Henry Ginter and Alex Crouse are well The veterans are going front on every train now. There has been a good deal of fighting going on lately near here but we have been very successfull. Part of Shermans Corps passed here yesterday going towards Memphis. I dont know how long we will be permitted to stay in this quiet camp 

 

            I feel very much lost without my specks. I want you to send me a pair the first opportunity A pair that will suit Andrewcilla will suit me. Get a pair for the age of 48 or 50 and it will do Have them put in a good steel case and there wont be so much danger of getting them broke. take them to the Post office and they will tell you the cost to send them and will fix them up for you so they can be sent. I blieve that is all

Elija is quite wel

 

                                                                        Good by Dear Wife from your affectionate and praying Husband E. Hickman

 

May Good be with you and all the dear children in your care

                                                                        Write Soon

                                                                                    Good by

                                                                                    E.H.—

 

P.S. It is very difficult to get stamps here I wish you to send me two stamps in every letter till I tell you to stop in that way I will allways have plenty

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