Sunday 3d the, 1864 
     Ever Dear Sister Oliva 
       once more I 
am blessed with the privelige of writing to you 
this is a privelige that I Esteem very highly. & I am shure 
I cannot value it [illegible due to tear in paper] high. had one no means by which 
to communicate I should be lost. I should wish myself no 
longer a Soldier. & were it not a duty. & for love of 
Country. & very necessary for to Crush this Rebelion which 
has caused so much Blood Shed. so many tears which 
has made so many Widows, & Orphans. I would not 
wish to be a Soldier. no I would not hazzard my life 
for money, or fame, no I would much rather be 
at Home. & Enjoy the Comforts of life, but War will not 
always last. but whether you or I. will live to see 
Peace again Established. we cannot say. time till tell 
 
[Written upside down on bottom of page] 
 
I will write to Malvina in a few 
days my love to all the Folks
Christmas & New Years passed of very 
Pleasantly, as all other days do. I dont think 
I would know any difference by appearences 
some say all days are alike. but they should 
not be. the Commandment Remember the Sabath 
day to keep it Holy is just as binding on the 
Soldier as the Cavilian, but often we have to do  
things here that we would not do under different circu 
mstances, but this we cannot help 
I am glad to hear that you are getting along so 
fine in your Studies & hope you will continue 
I am agoing to send you & Malvina some pics 
or likenesses like those I sent by Orderly 
& I want to know if those [illegible] are set right 
or do you want them cross ways of the [illegible] 
ask Malvina how she wants hers & then let 
me know & I will finish them & send them 
it is about dark & I will have to quit or you 
cant read it write soon & let me know 
about the [illegible] good Bye 
Albert W Barber