Head Quarters. 10th Regt. Mich. Vol. Inft.
Nashville Tenn June 6th 1863.

	Dear Mother.
		Your truly welcome
letter of a late date lies before me. and
with pleasure I hasten to pen a few words
in answer to the same.
	It being some time since I had
heard from you I had almost dispensed of
receiving any more letter from you although 
I well Know the excuse of your [absence?] for I
had heard from you quite often through other
sources. Thus I was quite satisfied and in
truth of late I had. not written to scarcely 
any one.  only enough to Keep up appearances
yet for all that I have no proper excuse to offer
for neglecting you. but for the future I will endeavor 
it as better. 
	Yours [found?] me one in good health 
and spirits as I hope to continue for all future
time. Since I have been in my present.
occupation I have been very healthy although
for a few days I was quite sick with the
[“Neuralgia”?] but this you know is a new thing to
me. I am subject to it.
	Was sorry to learn your health have
been so poorly. & was glad to hear you were
improving. as I hope you will continue for many
long years to come. when the cruel war is over.
and we all return to help make you happy
in your declining years. Oh Mother take courage
this dark cloud that now hovers over us cannot
long continue we must soon emerge from our

present unhappy condition we hear to night
that Vicksburg is nearly ours. this with a few
more victories of a simmilar nature will so
Effectivally cripple that the South that they must
yield
	I was quite surprised to learn that.
Mrs Chipmen was dead. Many here are
that have been called to mourn the loss of
dear friends. since I left home many who
n knew not the afflictions and trials of this
life have been called by a sad reality to endure
[illegible in original] of parting with friends and relatives.
but such is life.
	Dear Mother keep up good courage you
shall not want for any thing I can procure you
with as many children as you have to see to
you. you need not fear they have been talking
of giving furloughs if so I think I can get out
and will come home and arrange matters
more satisfactorily.
	We are yet in Nashville & the prospect
is good for our staying here some time yet. sometimes
		rather
I wish we would ^     go to the front for there are so
many inducements here to spend money. of the
large amount I saved for my self I am entirely
out now and we do not know when we will
receive our pay either.
	[Now?] I wish to write a word to Freddie
I will close for this time write soon

Yours as Ever.
		ED. F Holmes.
to Mother.