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Richmond January the 8, 1863


My Dear wife
I now take this opertunity of ritin [writing] you A few lines which inform you that I hav
bin rite sick though I am improvein Sum hoping that those few lines may reach you and
all the rest of the family ingoyin [enjoying] the kind blesin of god. I hav nothing of any
great importance to communicate to you only I hav received two letters from you and
one from your farther. One was dated the 18 of December and the other november the 9,
1862. I received them the 5 inst and hit gave me great satisfaction to her [hear] from
you one more time and to her [hear] that you was improvein in health. You rote [wrote]
that you wanted to no [know] whether I wanted any land entered or not. I would be
glad that you would enter two fortys if you can git the rite numbers and if you will git Mr.
Tuten he can giv you the rite numbers of hit. I waunt you to rite to me as soon as you
receive this for I am anxious to her [hear] from you all at any time. I would be more then
glad to se you all but I don't no when I will git the opertunity of that pleasure though I
hope that it wount be very much longer for the pares [papers?] states this morning that
France intends to reconise the south for she is starvin for the cotton. I supose that she
inter [intends?] to run the blockades. I suppose that that brag [Confederate General
Braxton Bragg] has had A fight in the west an captured 4,000 yankz and arms and 200
wagins and teams with A great deal of pervision [provision] though he has retreted
back 30 miles on the count of gitin reinforcement. He found that the yankeys was
reinforce in [reinforcing]. Dick [Richard Bellamy] send his compliments to you all and
says that he is as harty as A buck but caint gump [jump] half so far. He says that he
wants you to rite to him and rite how all the girls are and tel them that they need not to
be uneasy for if life last that he wil cum back to old florida again. So nothing more at
present. I believe only I remains yours most Afectionate husband until Death.

C.B. Bellamy

[Written on back]

Dear wife you rote that you wanted to no [know] whether I wanted any clothing or not
that you would Send me sum but I don't wannt any now for I hav as many now on hand as
I can manage for I had to throw A way the close that I brung here with me. I coulden cary
them. I never wannt but two suits her [here] at the line, yours most obedian [obedient]

Direct your letter the Fla. hospital, Richmond, Va. Care of Dr. T. M. Palmer


Transcribed by Christopher A. Baker, University of Florida, 2008.