Levi Lewis 35th Alabama while in prison at Camp Chase Ohio Receives a letter from his Wife and Sister. He needs to Come Home.

May the 25th 1865

My dear and loving companion, I seat myself this morning to let you know how we all are, that is a livin. My family is all bin sick lot. Genn and Jimmy all is sick now and has bin for some time, but are getting better. My dear I have some news to write to you, brother thus lost all the help that he had except Caroline and Mack. Gussy died 23 and Willey the 24, Gussy was takin Friday and died Tuesday Willie was taken Sunday and died Wednesday. You have no idea how they suffered, the doctor could not do anything with them its cause it was the brain fever and it could not be controlled, there was two doctors attend them, old Flim and Will they done all they
could for them, but all in vane. Oh my Dear, if you ever was needed at home it is now and if you can come home. I erite you to come my dear It seems strange to me that all the men in the neighborhood has come and still coming and you wont come, but I still liv in hopes of you comin home again, and I long to see the time when you my dear will come home and stay with his family again. My dear, I long to see your face again and enjoy your company. I want you to come home if you can, for we are so lonely and sad my dear. I will tell you if you wont com Cot will go beside her self as well as myself.

Well little brother, I will write you a few lines to let you know I am still in the land of the living. Though not very well, I have not been well in some time, but still keep up. Cal has told you about the childrens’ deaths so I will tell you about the other boys. The Spivey boys, Bob and N. Middleton have all come home, and R Sanford, G. Gibson, and several others have come home on parole. And why can you not come, it would
be a great pleasure indeed, if you could come home now, we are in a lonely and helpless condition. Brother has planted crop enough for all of them. Tommy says he will come and help to plow, Bob and Pun have both been sick, Pun can't walk a step without his crutches, nor hasn't for more than a month and Bob can't set up any of account. I don't know what is the matter with him. Well I will quit hoping to see you soon----Mattie

I will tell you the diseases of our family, it is the Flux, that Jimmy and Ginny have. Well my dear this leaves me write with the exception of a bad cold and fatigue, and I hope when this com to hand it will find you well and doing well. My dear I pray to the good Lord to take care of you and bring you and land you safe at home again and I hope that my prayers will be heard and answered. I will close, write soon and let me hear from you. Come home if you can to here. E. C Lewis to her husband---write soon husband.