Dec, the 9, 1863
Dear wife
I have gust returned from camp Lamb I was detald to go there to fix up winter quarters our Bt was ordered there but the order was contermand I supose we wil stay here a while longer camp Lam is in Wilmington about 2 miles from this place.
I am well I recevd your leter yest I was glad to here from you and that you were and all well and my Stock and Seeding and I hope those fu lines will find you all enjoying the same great Blessing of our great purtector in home we trust til the Biter end of this war he is wiling to save all all hoo put here trust in him - it is his will that I am hur I will try to make my Self contented hoping for beter things I dont alow my Self to complain about those things if I keep well I will get along Sum how
I think this is as good a place as I cold a found in the Confedresy it is a cickly place there is Sum Small pox in this citty Sirenus Alexander gut a leter from Dr. Houston Stating that his wife was bad Sick I dont know whether he wil git hom or not I herd down here that Sandy McCinley was cuming down before long I dont think I want any thing but a par of Socks I think you had better kill your hogs before crismis to Save your corn comence to cave on the top of crib keep the muel and horse apart to kiep pone from eating the muel Nuthing more onley take good care of your Self and do the best you can tel friend all Lady for mee I wrote Mother a letter and gut no answer
I will close by teling you haddy that is the best I can do
R.C. Caldwell
M.I.C.
Sum of our mes gits a box only week so well gits along prety well turnips, potatoes and cabeg
While reviewing the information in the right hand side of the document I realized that a typo had been made as to the sate of the letter. The actual date for this letter is 1863, while the quick reference to the right states that the letter was written in 1893.