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To Miss Leah S} Head Quarters 7th Mil Dist Taliaferro } South Carolina near

             Charleston Jan 7 1864

My Dear Daughter

                I received

only today your mothers letter of the 20th of Nov enclosing the reports of the standing of your brothers & yourself in school. I was much delighted to receive them and as you were all mark- ed perfect in writing I thought I would write you each a short letter in hopes that you would all soon reply and I would then know what a perfect mark in writing meant. I hope your mother will often enclose the reports and I trust I shall have the happiness to find the standings always as good as it was on the 20th of November. You must write me what you and your brothers are studying. I see by the report how many things & I am quite surprised and much gratified to see you so much advanced, and I wish to know what books and what parts of the books you are reading or studying how far in other words you have progressed. Dear little Fankin I suppose is quite independent of Miss Mary Mann, and does not yet trouble herself with a spelling book & I immagine that Master Geordie's education or schooling consists at pres- -ent in being taught to talk. You must keep them in mind of me for I fear they only know their father is a sort of myth. It is very cold and has been raining for more than a week. I am well horsed and have a plenty of good wood but I fear you have snow in [Gloucester?] where I have rain & that you must suffer terribly. Tell mother she must not let you suffer if it is possible even by burning the railings to avoid it. I do so wish I could be with you to see to your comfort for every blast of this cold wind seems to tell me you are all cold at home without enough wood. We live quite well here too for the send off & a long way from the city and the railroads & and purchase eggs & turkies & gees & ducks which we find cheaper even than buying beef from the Government. We made an eggnog a few nights ago & I have had two puddings made of eggs flower & water but very nice without milk and with a sauce made of butter & sugar. They were delightful. I wish you were here to keep house for me, for I have a small house all to myself & there cut off with screens a part of it for a chamber which I could give to you. My house has only one room & therefore I use screens to make rooms with. Love to every body at home & [Bellville?] & remember me to your mammy particularly & Sarah & [?] God bless you my darling daughter

           Your devoted father
                WB Taliaferro