Franklin County: Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, March 20, 1865
Summary:
McElheney discusses plans for raising sheep on the family farm. He also
tells his wife
that he sent her money and reassures her that he is doing well.
March the 20th, 1865
Camp in Front of Petersburg
Dear Wife,
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I take the present opportunity to answer your kind letter which came to hand on Friday night and was glad to hear once more from you for I began to think that you were going to quit writing to me but I think you haven't forgotten altogether. I am well and getting along very well and I hope when these few lines reach you they may find all well.
Well I must tell you that we
have been making breastworks for several days
and there is A lot
[page 2]
of the boys out today and I think I will have to go tomorrow but I would about as soon go out as stay in camp for we don't do very much when we are out. Well you were talking about them sheep. I think you better give them
to him but if they have any lambs this spring I don't want you to give him any of them for I would sooner pay pasture for them. I
am going to write to [unclear: Stribker] to see
how them sheep is doing I have A
mind to leave him have them another year well
Hally I think if [unclear: McAnasky] will take them sheep I will
[page 3]
give them to him so you can see him and
let me know and if he don't want
him I will let [unclear: Stribker] keep them
another year I want you to
see him and let me know as soon as you can. I suppose Pap will take his home this summer and he can take yours over
along. I expressed my
money to Pap and I wrote to him to give it to you. I sent you sixty five dollars and let me me know if gave it to you or not. I wrote you a letter several days Ago
and I put one dollar and ten cents in it and I am
going to
[page 4]
put two dollars in this letter. So nothing more at present but
remain your husband.
Sylvester McElheney
write soon every week and tend to it. ask Pap whether he paid for fixing of my watch or whether Bill Sibert for he said he paid it and I paid. Tell Pap to ask J. Camble if he paid him or not and let me know.