Oct the 17. 1863
I take the present opertunity of Writing you a fu lines to let you know that I am well and I do hope those few lines ma find you engoying the same blessing of almity god my helth has bin very good So far her our men is all Sick but my Self and hree others Corne, Alexander's, Syrenus Alexander and McLowl S. Caldwell Sick Tim Rusel and greer and farr and D Mareson and Price is gone home on furlo 12 days I told him to drop you a fu lines at Harrisburg to let you know when he came back to Harrisburg So if you
So if you wanted to Send me any thing so you cood send it with him that Boy hant came back yet and I don't know wheter he will or (document damaged) So if can find out when Price comes back he (document damaged) I bring any thing you want to Send to me I ant suffering for any thing only wrest I have bin i on post in Wilmongton 2 miles from camp our men is all Sick that is the resen I have so much duty to do sum times I am 4 or 5 miles from camp on the (document damaged) I Ston 2 and rest 4 then on agin ect So on day (document damaged)night wet and dry cold an hot Hard life
Mag I will let you sumthing about our fair down (document damaged) is ruff sollit cake cold at that very often burnt on the outside an raw in the midle fat (document damaged) sumtimes beef and pickeled pork that not good you can't by any thing the prices is so hi meal is 6 dollars a bushel flour is fifty cts a pound baken 3 dollars pr pound Beef one fifty chickens (document damaged) dolars pr head butter 3 dollers pr pound sweet potatoes from 12 to 15 dollars a bushel (document damaged) five pr yard everything is in perportion have receved 3 leters from you Magge I have written 3 before this one I cant git time to write am ner the Bank of the River in Wilmington
Mag I hav a Suit of clouths a roundabout pants cap both shous[note] cotten socks shirt slips I wil sum of them home the first oportunity tha ar very corse and ruff I have gut my coat on Mag you Sed Sumthing about hiring Nat I dont beleve he wil do hen Welch wod soot[note] yu better if you cud get him or if you cold hire one and swoop fur[note] him do the best you can I cant do any thing for you now as i am tide her I Shal cum to a close write soon and often let me here from you I receved a letter from Mother i had time to (document damaged) Nuthing more onley remane
yours until death
R.C.C.,,M.I. Caldwell
Oct, the 18, 1863