Millageville, Ga.
June 30th 1865

Dear Beloved Wife and affectionate Companion

I am now seated to write you a few lines in answer to your welcome letter of the 20th inst. (meaning of the present month) which just came to hand and found me well and hearty, and I was glad to see that it was written by your own hand, but it grieved me to know that your health is so feeble and I have to be here not earning my bread when there is so much for me to do at home. I asked the Captain this morning whether he would give me a furlough as you was sick and he told me there was no orders to give furloughs but if there was he would make one out for me. I have just been thinking that if you could bring the children you might come and see me, or if there was any one with whom we could entrust them. I wish you and the children were here. We could enjoy ourselves first rate. We have a beautiful camp in the Court House yard which is full of shade trees. The sun scarce gets through all day and our duty is not hard. Only six men a day and we have about 50 men for duty. We were mustered this afternoon and the talk is that the paymaster is at Macon ready to pay us off. Everything is cheap here. Butter from 15 to 25 just as people can catch it, eggs 10, potatoes $1.00 per bush. And people bring in green beans and cucumbers and suchlike to trade for surplus rations so that we can live pretty well.

Yesterday was the hottest day we have had but in the afternoon we had a fine shower and today it is not so hot. Some of my mess were out in the country and brought half a bushel of potatoes, and we are going to have some for supper. You say you have lots of cherries, and I would like to be home to get a pie. I am glad you have such good neighbors to help you along. You say you guess I must bring a darky girl, if I had a chance to look around a little I could get girls who have been slaves all their life time and are just as white and as handsome as anyone could wish to see. Some of them show negro features but many of them are as white a anybody.

You never told me before that you sold the cow but I think you done well with her. I am afraid you are getting lonesome or homesick but I cannot blame you for that. The war is over and it seems as if I should be at home. I wish I was there to hoe the garden. I think I would relish a chicken pie with you first rate but don't despair as you say we will hope for better times.

That itch on me is getting better, since I do not eat so much meat. I am writing a pretty fine hand so that I can hardly get enough to fill a sheet unless I should put in some nonsense, but I believe I have not given you the description of this town. It is the capital of Georgia and a poor looking place it is. The Court House was burned before the war and has never been rebuilt. Last winter when Gen. Sherman passed through here he burned the penitentiary, and the RR depot, the State House was not burned but was badly riddled. The citizens are nearly all rank secesh but are completely whipped.

I have not been long enough in this place to get much news, but will tell you that I got a letter from Salome written the 20th. They were all well and she had a letter from father's folks. They were all well. I forgot to tell you how heavy I weigh. I weighed myself and I could fetch up 178 lbs and that is more than I wish to weigh this hot weather. I will try to get Henry to write a little. With this I will come to a close in hopes of hearing from you soon again and that this may reach you and find you well and in good spirits, so no more but remain as ever your true and affectionate husband

George Kryder
To his dear wife and children
My love to all, so good bye.