If you are still in the land of the living send a line to Cincinnati to say so - my father and Kate is alive and well by last accounts - Robert is in New Orleans - give my respects to all my nephews and nieces, (I forget now whether I have any or not) and to my cousins and Uncle and Aunt, and believe me to be

Your Affectionate Brother

{signed} James Armstrong

{page 2} P.S.-

Where I last heard from Henry he was in London, was married, and the father of a son - have not heard anything from him for 12 months

Direct to

James Armstrong

Olive Branch Hotel

corner of Front & Ludlow Streets

Cincinnati

Ohio

{page 3 is blank, page 4 in another hand reads:}

February Camden East

February

{The writing is well done in blue ink - page one:}

Cincinnati March 22

My Dear Sister,

Your letter gave me the greatest pleasure, when by it I found you and Willy both alive and well. I had been under the impression that one or both of you had departed this life, but thank God it is not so - I delayed answering your letter until I got one from home, which gave me the pleasure which I now transmit to you, of hearing of my father's and Kate's continued good health, they still live in the same place you were accustomed to write to, but you will never have the pleasure of reading a letter from my father again, as he has told me that it takes him near an hour to direct a newspapaer to me, Kate does all the letter writing now -Jane Arnett B[ ] a young girl from Enniskillin and I left Dublin on [ ] 2nd of November 1849, in the good ship "Confidence" bound [ ] the port of New Orleans, which we reached in safety [ ] 75 days, but not succeeding in obtaining em[ ]ment there, and funds being low, we left the [ ] in situations and came up here by steam boat[ ] days, and have been getting on with good and bad [ ] ever since, the want of employment induced[ ]ty New Orleans again, besides he wished to try [ ] the girls were getting on, he just reached in [ ] witness Jane's marriage with a young Spanis[ ]Stuart {steward?} on a steam boat - Bob is now here, and [ ] in the same office with me {page 2} Since I got your letter I sent you a letter every week which I hope came save to hand, it is the paper we are employed on - I wrote to Dublin to day, and we are in the hopes to see my father and Kate out here by Christmas, tell me in your next how many children you have, and their names[.] My three little ones are with Kate, their mother lives by herself

Give my love to Willy, and believe me to remain ever affectionately

yours

{signed} James Armstrong

Bob sends his love to you both - We had no news of Harry for the last 18 months - at last accounts he was in London - married, and the father of a child - a son -[ ] wrote repeatedly to him since, but can get […] account of him

Adieu J.A.

{page 3 is blank - page 4 is the address page}

I see by the reading of your letter you have had heard the sad news of the death of your darling brother. I wish to God I could contradict this sad news but my dear sister it is true. my dear Husband was killed at the battle of Gettysburg July 2nd he was strok with a shell in the side of his head and killed instantly. the upper part of his head was blown entirely off. dear sister it breaks my heart to think dear Robert has been taken from me so soon, and our dear little home broken up. your poor brother James is thrown on the world. he {page 2} is with strangers and has not got one dollar in the world. he sends his love to you and his children he said he was very sorry that he could not write to you, but he is nearly blind and very sick. I went to New York last week to see him. I do not think that he will live very long. I think that he has go the consumtion. poor fellow he is fretting himself to death. he has no home now, he had a good comfortable home with me, and if my poor dear Robert had lived to come back, he would have had a good home again, but the Lord has taken my poor Husband from me, so that I have no home for myself. all that I can do for poor James I will do, but my health is quite poorly.. it has not been very good since the birth of my dear little son, dear Sister your little Nephew is a sweet little boy I will try and send you his picture in my next letter. he will be six months old the 9th day of this month. his name is Robert Armstrong (our dear little Robby) dear Sister write to me as soon as you get this. write me a good long letter, and please excuse this writing for I am nearly crazy with trouble..

I remain My dear Sister

Your affectionate Sister {signed} Jane Armstrong

{page 4} Direct your letter to Mrs. Jane Armstrong

No.50 Jefferson Street Albany N.Y.

{stuck on page (or enclosed) are a couple small newspaper clippings}

In this city March 10th, by Rev.Dr.Wyckoff, Mr.ROBERT ARMSTRONG to JANE B. VANDERHOOF

{and} DIED: ROBERT ARMSTRONG, killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July2d, aged 31 years and 11 months. He was a member of Co.A, Second Regiment, N.Y.S.M.

{under this is written} I was married in the year 1862, Robert was killed 1863