Day 2: A letter from whom? May 7, 1861

Comin home from school today, there was a letter on the table....it was address to me! Momma told me to open it because she was eager to see what was in it. The adress didn't look familiar....maybe it was from the boys! I tore the letter open as fast a horse can run. The letter was from Nelson! It said:

Dear Family,

The boys and I are doing great, we learned after they came and got us that this was soldier training. They needed us for this crazy war that has started called the Civil War, they want to take our slaves away from us. This ain't fair for us, because we need our slaves to work the plantation. Soldier trainin' aint that hard, just very educational. We all thought learning how to work a gun was pretty dang cool! We boys have to get up at 6 a.m now and don't go to bed till' the sun is long gone. We learned that our favorite snack are the goober peas, but of course they aren't as good as Ma's. We all miss you, and miss home! We will be home hopefully soon and we won't have to fight. Love you all!

Nelson, Arthur, Owen, and Philip.

That letter made my whole day, to know that they are all doin alright and they will be home as soon as possible. Momma said I could keep it for keepers sake, but I can't wait to see them when they get home. I miss them.

~Beth