Mr. Kinley Cisney
Fort Miley
10th Company
California

My dear Nephew.

      You don't know how glad I was to get your letter. And to know you was well and that you was enjoying your soldier's life.

      Ma and I haven's had any health this winter. She has Fever Rheumatism and Pleurisy, but is some better. I have to keep a girl all the time. I have hardening of the arteries, and you know what that means. But I am trying to live to be ready.

      I had a letter from your Ma, and she was proud of her Soldier boy. I assure you that I am also glad to know I have one nephew that takes pride in defending the flag that I helped to preserve. All the advice I can give you is to trust in God and keep your powder dry.

      I have often wished I could go and see the world like you will get to. I don't think Germany can hold out long seeing nearly all the peoples are against them.

      I would love to help you eat some of the fine fruits that you will be permitted to enjoy. I was turned loose from prison in Florida just in time to help eat the sweet oranges and other fruits. I imagine now you are just in the midst of all this.

      We are feeling pretty blue now. It is very wet, lots of plowing to be done yet for corn and the storms are doing lits of damage.

      Well I think I know what a Soldier's life is after nearly five years of service in the mountains of Virginia. I was snowed under in the mountains on August 22nd, 1861. And the sun of May nearly burned me up in Florida. Was a prisoner for 13 months and only weighed 78 pounds when I got out. And I think about 10 pounds of that was Gray Backs.

      I feel and believe you are a man that has too high an estimate of your self to suffer yourself to be misled. But believe you will be a glorious standard bearer for Uncle Sam.

      Now I am 77 years old and like I am not able to give you any advice. But that I can truthfully say I am proud of you. And may the good Lord keep you and Bless you.

      Hoping you will live to see our cause prevail, and that will return home to meet that noble Father and Mother who so freely gave you to the service.

      So with love and best wishes for you and all our dear boys, I will close to hear from you.

Respectfully
Abe. Stephen

P.S. I just got the word that John's Joe was dead. No details. A.