Dear Minerva

     I wrote you a letter night before last in answer to yours of the 9th In that letter I made such a statement about my business with Mr Puckett as I could from memory Since that time I have reflected about it a good deal and I will if I can throw farther light apon it But my memory is a very uncertain guide and you will have in the main to trust to the accounts and the statements made apon Each settlement
     Mr Puckett in the first place owed me $1200 Twelve hundred dollars It was in three notes one $800 note and two $200 notes Each He commenced work by the day and did not Expect to draw anything from me but he intended to let it all go on the debt He soon found however that he would have to have assistance from me and commenced getting money and other thing from me It went on so until Mr Hayford and him traded property Puckett then turned over to me the difference he was to get which was $500 We then had a settlement The $500 I took on Hayford and the work he had done if I recollect right a little more than paid the $800 note. I then delivered that note to him and I think I Entered a small

credit on one of the small notes This you can tell at once for I made a note of the settlement under the account in the book in which his account was kept I cant remember to have had but one other settlement with him (but of this I woant be positive) If I am correct in this it was at the time he took the finishing of the house by the job my impression is that at this time we settled and the amount due him after deducting from his wages what I had let him have was credited apon the note You can tell how this is for I made a note under his account which will Explain it. I think you will find that the date of the credit on the note coresponds with the date of the settlement in the bood This I think was in the Spring or Early summer of 1861. I have no recollection of Ever having any other settlement with him and I doant think I did If we did not as a matter of course the account he made from the time he took the house by the job still stands against him I doant how it can be any other way for I doant see what he could have paid this account with I have no recollection of getting anything of him and he undertook no other work but the fence and for this I paid him $10.00 in money 35 Bushel of wheat and 2 hogs this being the agreed apon price It was all paid before much of the work was done I cannot see in what way he could have settled the

against him that was made after he took the finishing of the house by the job. I want to do Puckett no wrong and want him to have credit for all he has paid but I am satisfied that I am right If I was at home I could tell at once by Examining my statements in this little account book
     I think your best way will be to get John to read the foregoing statement and then Examine the accounts with the statements I have made at Each settlement and if there is any doubt about it then get him to coppy the statements I have made at Each settlement. also the dates of the Credits on the note. also a true copy of the account Puckett made since the last Credit on the note before I credited the stove on it
     I have no doubt but you can arive at the facts about it from what I have writen above and seeing the statements refered to with the dates of Credit
     There is nothing in camp to Excite Portions of the army are moving We now ocupy Holly Springs It will be but a short time before the road to Memphis is opend Or at least these are regarded as facts in the army

Write often Remember me to all
Your affectionate Husband
George Thomas