Nashville Tennessee. February 4th 1863.
			Evening,
		Very Dear Mother
	Your kind, and welcome
letter of the 28th and 29th was recd
about half an hour ago, and
you may be assured it was gladly
welcomed by me,	it found me well.
with the exception of a bad cold. which
of late has annoyed me not a little. 
but I hope that good nights sleep will make
feel much better. for I was on duty last night
and consequently up nearly all night and expect
 to be on as “Sergeant of the Guard” tomorrow. so I
thought it best to try and answer your letter this
evening. for I know you are lonely and sad.
and need words of comfort. and cheer. in this
your time of need. but dear Mother y why should
we mourn? to be sure it is hard to give him
up. but it is the good Lords will. he has only
called him to his home in Heaven. whare I hope 
					      A
we may all meet again. you must be content ^
dear Mother and bear your trials patiently. look to
				          [illegible in original]
the future. think of the time when your ^          children
will all return. home. and take care of you. 
that you can take comfort in your declining
years. what a happy time that will be when
when we all return home. not the boys that we were 
when we left. but all men. not only with the
stature of a man. but the principles of true manhood 
[anhood?] 	I saw Uncle Marshall [Wells?] the other day.
day and had a good visit with him. it really did 
					did


me good to talk with him. he seemed so
kind and friendly I have not seen any
friends since I have been down here. that I 
was previously acquainted with. it was like
going home. to talk with him. so full of
Friendly advice’s. that it made me more determined
than ever. to follow my good resolutions. be
assured that if I am taken sick he will see
that I am properly cared for.
	I wrote a letter to Augustus this Afternoon
in answer to one recd from him Monday
	as for stamps we can get them here if
we have the change.
	I am glad to have a friend in
Mr Smith he is very kind to help you now when
you do much need it he will lose nothing by it
we expect our pay soon and then I will send
you a plenty [illegible in original] to relieve you from all present
embarrassment 
	I am glad you hear from the
other boys so often but it is getting late and
I must close for this time and write a word 
to Sarah so take good courage dear Mother and
all will come out right yet be sure to write
soon and I will write whenever I have leisure
	from your dear Son
		Edwin H.

Mrs. H. J. Holmes.