November the 5, 1862
My Dear Wife
I take this oportunity to write you an answer to
your litter that I received the 3 day of this month which came in my hands with
pleasure. I was glad to heare that you were well but I am verry sorry to hear
that my children are sick. I feel like that I never shal see them any more but
I trust in god that he may spare me to come back to see you all again. I am
quite well at presant except a cold which I cant expect any thing els for I
have got no blanket and no shoes as for the balance of my clothing I can do
verry well. billy Bloxham received a letter from his Sister Sally while I was
writing this. billy and Jimmy and Willy Payne are all well and harty. I should
be the gladest of all things in this
world to see you and the children and farther and mouther and Sister and
brother and also all the neighbours. My love to you and aunt pegy and mary and
the children give my best respects to farther mother sisters brother and all
inquiring friends. I know we are a great way apart but I think of the both
night and day and dream of being with you and the children and wake up and find
it not so and it disapoints me verry mutch. I am glad to hear that farther had
made a good crop of corn. you say you have some mony yet I am going to run the
risk to send you some mony by mr. Noey (Noah) Jones hoo has got a dis charge
from our company by being over age.
I
will send you twenty five dollars now. I could spare you fifty or sixty but I
am a fread to send it for fear the yankes may take him and rob him. I will send
you some more the first oportunity if I cant come home my self and I fear I
cant come with running away and I dont like to do that if I can help it. Billy
send his love to you all and to his farther and abe say he will write soon and
tell him to write and let me hear from him. Weare in clark county at this time
and in about 5 miles of the blew rige and about 12 or 15 miles of winchester. You may still send your letters there you
must write often and let me hear from you and the children I feel uneasy about
my children. I have to write with pensyl some times when I cant get pen and
ink. You may look for me some time this winter if I live and nothing happens.
Nothing more at presant but remain your kind and affectionate husband untill death
John W. Watson
