Lafayett

tennisee

June 25..62

 

Dear companion and children

i write again informing you that i am midling well it is 5 oclock a pleasent morning i am seting under a large tree whare i have slept for several nites, the foilage to keep off the dew which falls verry heavey in this climate. we are under verry good but strict disciplin. we have to put on lots of stile our dress must be in nice trim and manners and polite apearance that we put on to our officers. well we will learn a good many things good things and some bad ones J S 

 

We are campt on a small river bottom in a beautiful forrest that is full of beautiful birds and many of them songsters the citizens are in 2 classes rich and poor or slave holders and clay eaters. they thought we would destroy property kill women and children whare ever we went and was suprised at our good behaveyor and politeness we want to show them that we have soles and have some sence and humanity. we treat rebbel prisioners well to, but they treat the prisioners that they take from us cruely well they will get there reward i could relate some horible scenes of cruelty but i will wate untill i see you. Now dear Ruth i wish you would be chearful and lively as usual i know tis hard for you to have so much care on your mind and so much work to do. O if i was only there to relieve and soothe your noble mind. well i am not i am far far away and in a strange land but not away from friends no for i am much respected in the company 

 

O for a closer walk with walk with god

 

Laura Philander Princes Silva and Ruth well those are prety names may there behaveior be as prety i think you will be kind to Mother and to each other yes be affectionate and learn to help each other in all your troubles and how nice you will apear O children you cannot tell how anxious your farther is for the wellfare of his dear children i know i did not do my part when with you but forgive me and hope for the best. may god bless you all with life and health

 

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Ruth is larue a healthy place now does the children injoy good health is provisions plenty is town property cheap

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