[corresponds to page 1 of Ross Letter dated 1863 Sept 23]
Bristol Station virginia
Sept 23rd 1863
Dear Wife I seat my self
this morning to Answer your kind
letter of the 11th and let you know
that I am well at pressent and
hope that this may find you
all enjoying the Same Blessing
I would be very glad to come
home to Se you and expect to
come at the first chance But untill
I have the opportunity to come it
is no use to fret about it you
want me to tell you when I am
comeing home that is as much
out of the question as any thing in
the world you might as well ask
the man in the moon all I can
tell you is that if I live I will
come the first chance that is offered
I am glad that you are arranging
things for winter But you will
find that 100 lbs of flower will not
be enough to do you this winter But