Washington Co. Va.                                            1863
                                                                            Oct. 25th

        Dear Brother

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I seat myself down this blessed Sabath morning to write you a few lines which leave us all tolerable well truly hoping these few lines may come safe to hand and find you well.  We received yours of the 2 Oct and was glad to hear from you  This is the third letter I have wrote in this month to you.  One was mailed at the college.  Brother me and mother has both got good shoes.  You was mistaken about me having a bruised heal.  It was Elizabeth Scott.  It is Liza Blackwell now, I recon you heard that her and Samuel was married.  She told me to put it in just for mischief.  Brother we have nothing of much interest to write today.  I have been at cousin Lonidas Blackwell's for 2 weeks  The soldiers is always going.  I seen about a hundred going on to Zolieoften(?) last week.  I seen the artilery Brother  It is a sad looking sight to see them going long the road but nothing to what it is to go in to battle.  Brother we want you to be shore and come home this winter if there is any possible chance.  We want to have Brother William's funeral preached this winter some time and we want you to come home, and if you can't get off we will put it off if you want us to until spring.  We want you to write who you would want to preach it.  Mother says she wants you to see about what was coming to him and get it if you can.  You might as well have it as them that has got and better two my dearest Brother.  We want you to be sure and come home.  John Burns is at home.  He come on a sick furlow and __________ more uncles folks are all well.  Matthew's family are all well.  Mary has wrote to you for I wrote the letters myself not long ago. I expect we will have to move from this place.  We don't know until Matthew speaks to Sanders about it.  Give my love and best respects to David Venable and James Holly also.  Times is very hard hear now and getting harder every day.  Calico is 4 dollars and _________ 12 shoes 25 to 30 dollars beef .50 cents pound.  Found every thing else acording.  Brother we are going to send you 2 pair of socks the first chance we get.  We did not know that Calop_____ was going to start back when he did or we would of sent them by him.  We will send them the first chance we get dear.  You know that we would all like to see you now but circumstances make it otherwise.  Cusin George Blackwell stayed all night hear not long ago.  I seen James __________ by Leonidas Blackwell if you want to write to Priscillen or aunt direct your letter to Tazewell Co. Va. Thomson Valley post office.  I wrote to Priscillen last week.  Brother I will have to close for this time by asking you to write soon and give us all the news.  So nothing more.  Only we remain your affectionate sister and mother until death.  Write soon

Sarah E. Blackwell and mother to
Benjamin M. Blackwell

Fare you well for this time and if we never meet on earth I hope we will in heaven. Farewell, farewell, farewell my brother.  Write soon