[Frund Mag?]

     Clifton Jan 12th 1864
         Dear Pa and Ma
    it has been a long time
since I have heard from
you and a longer time
since I wrote to you
I am well and hope these
few lines will find you
the same. we are now
at clifton .126 miles
from Nashville on the
Tennesee river. and we expect
to take transports and go
up the river to Shilo it
will be a long tedious
ride in the cold
I have only 8 more months
from to day to serve uncle
Sam. then if the Lord lets
me live I will come home


and finish my trade and
I intend to build on the owosso
lot if I have good luck how
much would it cost to put a
house up 18 by 24 balloon
frame. when you write till me
you said you would let me have
five sheep now as soon as we
draw our pay I will send you the
money for them or you can
take the pay for them out of
what I have sent home. allready
just as you please when you
write tell me all the news
is it verry cold in Mich yet
I cant write any more at present
it is so cold and smoky so good
bie from your ever loving son
I G Atkins