Dear sister I take this present chance of writing you a few lines to inform you that I am well at the present time and should this reach you I hope it will find you enjoying the same blessing I received your letter of the twentythird and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well the weather is very dull today and the camp is very muddy today there is a large number of regiments here and at fortress monroe and our forces have taken possession /

 

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thought it would be ended in a short time but I dont think it will be entirely settled for several months we have won several good victories and it was thout by many that the cotton states would soon be ours but it appears that every division of the army is lying still and nothing is being done by our armies towards ending the the war but I hope when the army makes another move it will make up for all lost time. I would like very much to be with you and to satisfy your wishes but it is out of my power at the present time I hope I may be with you when the war is over if I live to get through safe I received your other letter the same day I wrote to you 

 

well I am almost tired of writing and as I have nothing very important to write I will close give my love to dolly and the rest of the family no more at present but remain your affectionate brother till Death write soon and excuse me for not writing sooner

 

Thomas J Criswell

to

Julia A R Criswell

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