My dear Mother

     Kie and I arrived here last night from Porte=Republic or rather Wyers [sp. Weyers] Cave where we have been for the past two days with the Gentleman who owns it he was very kind and took us all through it is a great curiosity and I was very much pleased with it. This morning we both went to holy Communion and remembered all dear ones at home the Church was decorated very beautiful

and Father Bixio [i.e., Rev. Joseph Bixio, S. J.] seemed very much pleased that Kie was there to help to sing. Mark [i.e. Mark Owings Shriver] and lum I believe are up the country not far from here we know they are safe Kie and I will leave for the south shortly Uncle I believe remained in Richmond he was unwell at the time. I intend leaving here to morrow You can't imagine how much we wish to see you all but don't know when we shall have that pleasure until that time always considr we are safe until you hear otherwise you will hear soon if we are hurt there are four of us and they will

not be likely to get us all at once so we can always let you know in a few days what has hapened that is if any thing does hapen -- so dont be uneasy about us good by pray for your devoted son

T.H.S