the
Rhichmond Va Sept 27, 1863
My
Dear wife
I take my pen in hand to answer your
kind an affectionate letter that I received on the 26 of the presant
month. which came verry unexpected to
me. but happy was I on opening it and finding it was from you. and to hear that you were all well. Oh my dear
I was so delighted I could not help but shed tears as I red these lines you sent
to me. you say you have received 4 letters from me. and have written 3 to me I
have not received but 2 from you. you know my dear that I would give the world
if it were in my power to come home
and
see you all but you know that I cant get there. for the doctors wont give me
any furlough. but I shal come home if I live the first chance that I can get
you may be shure of that
Mr.
Duf Green was hear yesterday & staid all night with us & eat his
brakfast with me this morning and he look verry well and told me to give his
respects to you & told me to tell you houdy. when you write again you must
let me hear if you got your flower. and
if you have let me know what it cost you.
W. T. Payne & Jammy are well and harty. Willy sends
his love to you & the children & to cousin Anna and Says when she saw
my little girl & tell her to write & send it when you write. and let me hear from her. Jimmy sends his respects to you and all
enquiring Friend. you must excuse me
for writing on this slip of paper as the other one would not hold enough you must exuse me for writting so mutch
noncence. take god care of your
self. and my sweet little children My Dear wife let me beseech you to train
those little olive plants that God has given you and me. to grow round about your table. for Christ
and for Heaven. Keep those young hearts and minds from the impure, polluting
pleasures of the world, lest they prove to you curses instead of blesings. and
bring down your grey hears with sorrow to the grave. excuse a11 mistakes and blots
I will now close so fare well for a while
John William Watson
Willy has just received your letter of the 7 of the
presant month
