Dec. 22 [dth?] /63

Dear brother and sister
again I find an opportunity
to pen you a few lines.
We are well at present
Ann is lonesome here at
		   not
times but I think  ^ home
sick at least I hope
not while I am writing
this she is visiting
I commenced work last
week in the [stave?] mill
but they have shut
down for a while therefore
I think I shall commence
		wood
chopoping cord ^ to morrow
moring  We recieved your
letter last night well
do I know how to 
sympathise with you in
your afflictions

    But consolation reaches
us before grief Thomas 
got here last friday, he
said that Sarah was
decidedly better he is
well Wm. started for
home the day before
Thomas got here. But
time flies rapidly away
so I must draw to a close
and hasten to the business
of life which is required
at evry ones hand write
often give our respects
to all from your affectionate
brother	
		Carlos Hayes

        Saginaw City
	Dec 23 [the?] 1863
   Dear brother & sister I seat myself
to pen you afew lines. I am very sorry
to hear that Sarah has been so sick I
know [crossed out] [how] how to pity her. But I am
thankfull she is still spared to you &
those little ones that need her care so
much. My [crossed out] [helth] health is not very
            [I am?]
good but ^ so as to be about most
of the time my side trubels me the
most of the time. When I get my
work done its all that I want to do
			our friends
   We have been visiting ^ last week &
we had agood time we visited some
that I never saw before & like them very
much && I know that you would
like them if you could See them
   They seemed like our friends at home
how I wish that I could come & see
		        out there
you & the rest of them ^ You must
kiss [Herbert?] & Albert for Annie &
little [crossed out word] sister you must give

her A name I wished that you would 
     call her Ettie S Bamber I think that
is avery pretty name for alittel girl
I would like to see her you must write
& tell us who she looks like . But I
must close for its about bed time you
must excuse all mistakes for the boys
make so much fun that I can hardly
hardly write at all. give my love to
Mr & Mrs [Chase?] Write Soon & often the
time will soon come when we shall meet
again if we are all spared. My love to you
so good bye for to night
		       From your loveing Sister
			Annie Hayes

			Hattie we [resived?]
your letter && was glad to hear from
you we will write to you soon be
good girl & attend to your school
we have had a letter from Susie & must
write to here her write do not waite
for us good bye      Annie

[Photocopied envelope]

Joseph S. Bamber
[penciled in] [1863-12-22]
Highland
Oakland Co
Mich