#63August 3rd, 1861
Dear Jack,
I received your kind letter last Wednesday. I was glad to hear from you. I think it verry clever in you being so punctual about riting. You have rote every week but he weeks seem verry long. I am now at John M. I come over to fathers Tuesday. Yesterday I went to see sister Mary, today I come up here. They are all tolerable except Mother. I fear she will never be well again. She suffers a great deal with her arm.
Mary reached home yesterday evening. She seems to be pleased with her trip. I think I would a went down with her if I had known she was going. She rote to me saying she was going. I did not get the note.
I have rote to your uncle to send for us this evening. If he sends when I get home Monday. If we hear you will not leave until the 11 an can get any chance to go down, I shall do so. I would like to see you all before you go to Virginia.
I dont know of any thing I can rite that is of interest. I am a poor hand to rite a letter at any time. But little news about town. Some talk Mr. Besee(?) marrying Miss Davis. I dont know how true it is. The women all seem to be busy getting up jeanes, socks, an any thing that will do in the way of clothing. The first Co. that left, I hope we will get up plenty. We want to have them read to send when James Quillian goes back. As soon as we get through with them we will commence making up for your company.
Mother sits and crys because she cant work for the soldiers with her own hands. She has several working for her, says she can pray for them, says you an Frank remember what she told you before you left. I was glad to hear that you went to preaching every sabath. I hope you will attend service every opportunity.
You havent let me know yet whether you have taken up that cross or not. I wish you would. If you dont take it up, you and Frank must go in to some of the other tents when they have prayers.
As you are willing for me to advise you, I am afraid that I will forget some time an rite on that all together. I heard of the vice and disapartion(?) in the camp several weeks ago. How if may my heart ache giving up those that were near and dear to us to go an contend with a merciless foe is verry hard, an then for these vices to be placed before them day an night is to hard. Those that have control of those companys should put a stop to all of it. Where men are allowed to gamble, curse, an swear an do many other things, how can they think the Lord will give them the victory. He may but they have no promise that he will.
Jack, I hope you will never touch a card or drink a drop of spirits or use any bad language. I pray you may be able be able to overcome every temptation. Your uncle says he has no fears but what you will act right. Dont disappoint him. I know you are anxious to get away from the camp. When you take the car be careful. Remember you are in danger all the time you are on them. Act like a man an a Christian not like some of the first Co. that went from here acted.
The children all say your must rite often an they intend to rite to you when they get home. Your friends all enquire a great deal about you. Mrs. Dexter an many others send their kindest regards to you.
You will leave in a few days. I am afraid you will need some money before you draw. I dont want you to do without anything you need. Rite an let us know when you want any thing. The soap(?) I sent you must keep to mark your flannel and socks. When I send your winter clothes, I will send some more. I have knit you a nice pair of socks.
Jack, dont ex??? yourself. Dont cool off to fast when heated nor drink cold water when warm. That flannel shirt is not fit to wear out side. I made it for you to sleep in an wear under your cotton shirt in wet or cool weather.
Mrs. Stevenson takes it verry hard about Bob, sister Betsy takes it verry hard about Frank. Dont think we ar sorry that we let you go. We feel we have our duty in letting you go, but it pains our heart to think of the hardships an privations you have to indure. Meet it like men are Christians. I am glad you ar trying to make camp life pleasant. Spend every day as though it was to be your last then you will feel contented under any circumstance that you may be placed. Make the best of every thing, keep in good spirits, an if you should come in contact with the enemy be brave an determined. I hope they will be whiped out soon an you at home soon.
God bless you,
N W
I wish you and Frank had some of the nice preachers they have here.
Aug 4 - Sunday morning. Your uncle did not send for me last night so I will not get to the camp. We heard last night of several of the boys coming home. I am sorry they took such a walk only to stay three days.
I dreamed last night of seeing you. The children all send love to you. Excuse the mistakes. I dont know what your uncle got for Bob. If Sally was up she could tell. I dont know the names of the last co. that went to Virginia.
We are to have a camp meeting at Lumpkin this summer. I am glad you have got a cook. That will be a great help.
My turkeys are growing fast. I wish you had some of my chickens.
Did you take your bible with you, if not where did you leave it
We have had plenty of rain. the crops are fine.
Another long letter, not worth the trouble of reading.
Transcribed and submitted by
Ann Reese Cranford
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