Richmond, Va. July 25 the 1862

Dear wife and children and Mother. I take this one more opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time except a bad cold and cough. I do hope when these lines come to hand they will find you all well and doing well. I received your letter the 23rd. Of July. It was dated the 9th and 10th of July. I was glad to hear from you all. I thought the time might be long [wrong?].. You wrote if I hadn’t [got] that letter to write back to you. I haven’t received but one letter from you. It had a blue piece of paper in it. I want you to write all about what was in the other. I don’t know whether I will get the other or not. I was sorry to hear of James and the rest of the boys them having to march so far. But we all have a hard time, but I hope we will get through after awhile. I want you to write about how the neighbors is getting along. Tell mum and Carline to go a head and tend to things rite an min what said to them and stay at home an keep out of fusses. keep up the fences. Immelee _____ take the shoe offen foot if yo hant. Til Lewis Dawkins to us [use] enny my things he wants to. I wod lik to help J.B. cut down that Be tree. I cant but eat a good bite and think of me. Tell John Dove to write me a letter and write all news. I want Lewis Dawkins to write and Berry. I want you to write whether you have got them sheep from Dawkins or not. You can do as you think best. When I received your letter I was leaning on 3 poles before the tent door. I tell you I was might glad to hear from you all. But sorry to hear of Mother and_______ a bein bad off . Immelee I want yo to do as yo think best with the things thar, use or trde [trade] them as yo think best so you think best so as to make something to live on for I now [know] that yo will do the best yo can I am not uneasy about it no how. I go to prayers every night that ther is anny. There aint many that goes over my head but what I read 2 or 3 chapter every day Sometime more. It took me some [time] to read your letter. I had to wipe my eyes several times. I intend to do the best I can. I want to see you all mighty bad. If we never meet on this earth no more I intend to try an meet you all where partying will be no more an you do the same. I can write no more now, so no more at this time. I ever remain you loving husband til death. I will send this by Jim Daniel. I will send you $5 dollars if I can get it changed. If not I will send $10. I must keep some. It is hard matter to get change here. Vandiver Sartain to Immelee and children and Mother and rest. /p