Letter of Francis Marion Poteet to Martha Hendley Poteet, November 22, 1863

Letter of Francis Marion Poteet to Martha Hendley Poteet, November 22, 1863

A Civil War soldier, Francis Marion Poteet, writes to his wife, Martha Hendley Poteet. This is one of many letters that this individual wrote to his spouse. In this particular letter, Poteet complains that he has a terrible cold. He also states that he would do anything to be home with his wife and children, and to be able to read the Bible and attend church with his family.This soldier expressed to his wife that he wished to go anywhere he desired, rather than being placed in a spot and having to stay put. Poteet continues by saying that he has visited the doctor because of pain in his hips, in hopes that the doctor will excuse him from service. Poteet seemed genuinely upset that he couldn't hold his young children, and begged the wife to kiss them for him. Poteet ends the letter by stating he wished that his family would continue to pray for his return and safety all day, everyday.

Francis Marion Poteet

Poteet, Francis. "North Carolina Digital Collections." Accessed January 23, 2012. http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p15012coll8&CISOPTR=2144&REC=10.

1863-11-22

Document

F. M. Poteet to Martha Poteet] Kinston N. C. Nove 22the 1863 My Dear Wife and Children I seat my self this Blesed sabath morning to Rite you afew lines to let you now that I am only tolarabel well I hav got A very Bad Cold and A very Bad Cough My Dear Wife I cant tell how mutch I would give to be at home this morn ing to go With you to Preachin and stay With you as long as I live I youst to Read my Bible till I got tired and then I could talk With you and go where I Pleased but now I hant got the chance of anegro you Rote to me to not Runaway you dont now nothing About hard times I hant got no letter in two weeks and it seems to me that it has bin two months sense I hav heard from you I cant stay hear if the lord spares me I will come home the artilery shot of 16 canons friday morning Sum of thim Said tha hadant never herd the like sense tha had bin out sum of them sayes that tha think that tha will be Peace in A short time the lord nows I dont I am in hops that tha will be peace and I dont care how it comes it I hav bin so in my hips that I hardly could go I went to the doctor to git excused but he would not excuse me and I said that I never would go to him any more that I would go as long as I can and when I cant go no longer I will lay down any plase I only have one time to Dy I want you to pray for me day and night to I have my health to git home once more and see you I hope the lord will bless you all and save you if I nown that I had to stay in the army till the war ended I would as soon be Ded and I would any how if it wasant for you and my littel Children I cant see any peace hear tell mother that I live in hops that I will see her once more in this life and I hope she will live that I may see her O my Dear wife and children I cant see how to Rite for my teares I want you to kiss my littel babes for me and tell them how it tis for I want you to Rite soon I must close by say I remain your loving husband until Death F.M. Poteet to M. A. E. Poteet so farwell