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I understand Freedman Hopson says he is sorry he did not know I wanted a gardener before he rented. did your Father try to get any laborers from the Emigrant society? some people I understand are very much pleased with some Foreigners in Pittsylvanis-- Mr Gray says white labourers in Franklin about Peter Guerants can be obtained at five dollars-- We do not expect ot have a driver to drive us to church Christmas-- A Yankee officer arrived in Martinsville this evening to see after the negroes. I understand-- only one-- We received a ticket for you last Sunday to Marshall's marrige-- I suppose before this you have seen him and his better half-- Wiley sent to have his watch sent by express-- so that is one [case] I am sick of no tidings from Jubal since
left-- Alex like all the balance of the Freedmen from here had his house to built-- so we are already without his services-- but he seems quite carried away with the prospects before him-- how deceitfully he has acted and behaved well all the time so far as his business was concerned but told all my acquaintances he intended staying-- I thought from Brindles manner to day he would do your Father justice-- you know he has a hard case to deal with in the shape of a Legatee disgraful disturbances have already occured-- Mr. Whittle seemed to be of the opinion that our Legislature would pass the bill doing away the payment of old debts-- Sam thinks should that be the case it will take Georges whole estate to pay his debts-- If this reaches you let us hear from you quickly and know what you are going to do-- spend the winter or come home-- Ann Marshall and R. join me in affectionate love to your Father and self-- kind regards to all friends-- Your anxious and affectionate
Mother
Howdy to Jennie and tell her I want her to behave extremely well-- then she can
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always got a good home--
Lines Near Petersburg Virginia Mch 13th 1865
Miss E. P. Hairston
Dear S' Bet
I am now with the reg't doing nothing as usual; but am in hopes that it will not be very long before I get in to some buisness that I can do. Yesterday morning just before day we ware ordered to falling & I did not much expect we we would get in to a fight, but I went with the reg't & we only went a bout one mile down the line to the right & deployed our reg't in the trench & remained their a bout four hours & then marched to camp & stacked our guns & ware dismissed with orders to stay in Camp until further orders; we got permission to take our guns in just at sun down & in a short time we heard
that every thing was quiet in front. I do not know how long it will be before the consolidation act will go into effect; but I am in hopes it will not be very long a bout it & when it does I will soon know what I will do with my self.
I have been before the board since I got back or at least I got nearly all the members of it to examin my wound & they still say that I will not be able to walk this summer; & they will not give me a furlough; but will retire me & give me any light duty that I may wish to do. I may not be able to get off from here a gain this summer but I shall make one very heavy demonstration at a furlough & if I do not get it I will do the best I can here I attended the minstrel show at night it was a very indifferent
place of amusement; there was ten of fair sex out; but I though they ware out of their place.
We have to work every other day on breast works in front of our brigade & go on Picket every third day & besides that there is some other fatigue that has to be done every day so you see the Soldiers have but little rest these war times but that is what we came out to do; that is we give all of our time to our country & what is more I hear but few grumbling a bout the hard duty; but I can't say that some of them do not grumble at the short rations we are geting now; that is also some what going out of vogue with us. The 11th Miss reg't drilled at the prize prize drill of the corps against one South Carolina & one Georgia reg't the Ga reg't was the