December 28, 1861

(Camp) Beach Grove (near Mills Springs, Kentucky)


Dear Mrs. Manurva Aston:

I can inform you that I and Bob are in good health which I thank
God for his blessings toward us and I also ask him every day to be with you
and the children, that you may be in good health until I can see you all
again.

I have not time, Manurva, to write you but a few lines for Mr.
Adkins is going to start home this morning. I will send you forty dollars
by him to get anything you need until I come home. I know you must have
salt and coffee and as to pork - if you have any to buy I don't want you to
give more than nine cents for it, unless you can get it in the way of
debts, for I can buy it up here and send it to Tuscumbia cheaper than you
can get it there. I can get port here for 5 cts. and as soon as boats get
to running I can send it to Tuscumbia, via Tennessee River, then you can
send after it. I will get enough for you and father both if you can't get
it there in the way of debts.

Hugh, I want you to send me Thad Webbs, Wm. Mosses, Sam Harris", D.
and John Whites' accounts, and all the rest of the boys that you can think
of. There was a good deal of some of the accounts charged to their fathers.
Anything that was charged to their fathers by them put it to their
accounts. I want you to write to me what John Gann lacked of paying up his
account and send me the balance of the amount and his son, John, says that
he will pay the
balance for him, to me.

I want you to write often. Direct your letters as you have been to
Knoxville, Tenn.

I must close for this time so goodbye.

Mr. Adkins can tell you all that is going on here.

A. M. Aston