Waynesboro, March 26th/65
Dear Father & Mother,

     I send you a few lines by W. Arnold to let you know that I am again in Dixie, & at Mr. White's, I got here last night, & found them all well; my health is very good at present, though I suffered some before leaving Pt. Lookout with Rheumatism, but since getting out of prison, breathing the pure air, & getting more to eat, I have picked up, & feel as well as ever. I landed at Richmond on the 18th, & staid at Cous. William's, & at Camp Lee till Tuesday evening when I left on the cars for Lynchburg; from there I came to Amherst C. H. from which place we had to walk some forty miles to Mr. White's. Cous. William treat us very kindly. Forgot to say that I fell in with Bro. John there, but he left a day before me, I suppose he is at home by this time; he had been at Cous. W's a week already & was anxious to get home, but I couldn't get off in time to come

with him. W. Arnold came all the way from Richmond with me & I would like to go on to N.M. with him, but Mattie has stopped me & I cant say how soon I shall be able to come to see you. I want to see you before my furlough is out if nothing happens to the contrary. Love to all, I will let Mattie finish.

Your affect. Son, T.G. Read

Dear Mother

     Griffin is at home, once more, it seemed to me sometimes that he was never to get here, but our Heavenly Father has preserved him & brought him back safely. I've been looking for him at any hour for the last month. It seems a strange Providence that he & John should meet in Richmond. I hope John is at home by this time. Tell him to look at "Martha" a good while & then come & see the rest of us. I wrote to you & Mary Kagey just before the Yanks came up. I had not heard from Betty for two or three weeks until Saturday, I heard that Lije was better. Griffin & I will go down to see him after he gets rested. I've had no horse to ride or I would have gone down before now. The Yanks got our best horse, he was a first rate one. They did not get here. Tell Henry that a Mr. Grove from Edinburg was here last week; told

me to give his love to Henry's family when I wrote. Tell Aunt Ann I wish she could see the letter Griffin got from Lem Vawter He wanted G. to "throw off the yoke." I suppose he wanted another deserter to join his crowd. Tell Aunt Ann please to write to me. You & she and John must come up & see us. Tell father I would be glad to see him. Sister Lucy has a young son.

Your devoted
Mattie

Cous. William & wife send you their best respects.