February 15, in 1864

Emry and Henry Hospittal

Dear Wife after my best respects to you.
I am on the mend I suffer no pain nor hurt for the last two weaks no more than weakness and a bad cough and I have bin pesterd with the diaree a great eal I am againing strenth now slowly I think I will be able to go to my Company in a few days it only A bout sixteen miles up to marion I expect to go one day this week at furtest and then I expect to come home if there is no Providential hinderance the captain promist me that I might go home as soon as I got able Tiry Davas promist to lone me his horse to ride home when I got able to go I have studed a great eal abot you and the children since I have bin sick pore liddle Alice kiss her fore me till Silas to be a good boy that pap will be home a gain before long if I posibly can git off to come the fair here is verry ruff so I must come to a lose at this time

Lorenzo D. Fletcher to Mary M. Fletcher