Memphis Aug 27                                Aug 27…62

 

Dear and affectionate Ruth and beloved Children i am well this morning would to god i could know that you ware the same. my health is extreamly good for which i feel verry thankful this is wednesday morning 3 oclock it is my turn to go to town to day as there cannot but 2 be absent from the com at one time i will go and get my watch cleaned and see about expressing the box of clothing that i have had ready for some time but could not get a chance to send it untill now well it is day lite the fife and drums are playing for roll call so i must go and make a fire and get breakfast

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                                                                                    Aug 28^th 2 oclock in the morning

Dear wife and family i received your letter of 14 15 last eavening after i returned from town it brings me sad news. O Ruth my sweet lttle near Silva is near and dear to my heart yes dearist thou knowest the tender affection that i have for all my babes Oh how can i bear the thought of returning home and find any of them asleep in the cold cold ground (O my god forbid) i want to meet you all on earth again i know with what anctious care thou hast watched over her sweet form from hour to hour, o could i have been by your side to share a farthers part of grief and troubles and Lol i know that thou hast been a fathful and dutiful child and sat with mother nite after nite to chear her in her lonely hours O Laura pleas asist ma to take care of my little babes untill i come home. i will try again today for a furlo but if i can get one it would be the 15 of Sept before i could posibly reach you for it takes so long to get the papers made out with the proper signatures 

 

well i will write some on this side the box of clothing you will find at Marion and the charges not pre paid as i have sent nearly all my money to you (the express is hy but it will pay

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you wished to know how much the remainder of the team was worth (well i can tell you all about that the mare wagon harness)                                                  

mare        75

waggon   50

 harness                15

 $140

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                        Now i must write some to my dear Laura Oliva Scoville, thou hast been a dutiful daughter and you have seen some of the troubles of this life, although you are young you have been a greate comfort to Mother and farther brother and sisters O it is hard for me to give thee to another yes tis hard i regret that i have not done a farthers part by you in the way of education and parental instruction (but it is as it is and cant be helpt now) may god bless you and the one of your choice J G Scoville

 

well i have just finished my morning work and now i will write a few lines more

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I am cooking yet and probly will for some time there is a chance of permotion for me now if i had better education but that has been the difficulty every since i have been in the service thats so now i regret that i did not spend my young days in useful study…my dear little ones learn to read learn to write and spell and figure on a slate on paper on any thing so you dont injure nice things of your mothers

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Now Ruth if things were some different i should object to John Walker and Lauras union but they have the advantage of poor me (i am away) reflect

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