September the 21^th 1864

Jefferson barracks Mo

 

Rittey Ann I take my pen in hand to drop you a fiew lins to let you no that I recived your letter to day which I red with pleasure I was glad to hear from you glad to hear that you and the children was well you said that you had not heard from the 23^d redg since tha took Atlantia I cant hear from them I am a wating for them to come to St louis to be musterd out Our time is out to morrow and as soon as I can come home I will be shure to come I want to settle with the Goverment and get my pay and then I will come home to stay a while with you and the children /

 

I can get one thousan dollars for to take a mans place for one year and I dont no but what I will enlist a gane tho I will come home first and stay with you a while first and kill som of them Copper heds Old Abe is my man and non but rebels will vote for M^cClellan this leavs me well and I hope when those lins reach you tha will find you all well I hav rote to the Adgutent Jenerel of the Stat and I am a wating for anansor I will get one soon and then I will no what to do tho I think I will be at home soon

 

So fare well to all and recive my love and well wishes

 

So fare well J. W. Sanders

                        R. A. Sanders /

 

            well children I send my lov to you all I want to see you but I cant come yet I think I will see you before long you must hav a big shang high kild for me for I think I cold pick the hine leg of one and save me som butter and milk to eat and hav the mare and coalt fat and the calvs and save me a big hug and a nice kiss to for I hav not had a hug or a kiss since I last seen you so fare well

 

So I remane yours

            fare well

                        J. W. Sanders

 

                        R. A. Sanders and

            Children

 

I will get the cases and shoes and severel things that I must hav

 

So fare well

SOURCES