Item description: Letter, 5 September 1863, from William Henry Joyner Jr., to his mother Julia Joyner. William writes from Richmond and describes the availability of various goods in the city, noting especially the high price of books.

Item Citation: From folder 13 of the Joyner Family Papers #4428 in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Richmond Va.
Sept 5th 1863

My Dear Mother,

I received your letters a few days ago & was very glad to learn that you were all well at home. I rec’d a letter from Sidney a few days ago which I sent to Bettie and hope you have received it. I shall write to him in a few days. Joe’s box is here in the Express office but I don’t know how to get it to him as there is no express agent between Richmond & Orange C.H. I sent Uncle James’s boxes to him several days ago. If you can send word to any of the Sherrods, let them know that I have two pair of cotton cards for them and will send them the first opportunity. Henry Sherrod left the money with me to pay for them. Bettie wrote to me a few days ago to get some books for Miss Neva Kearney. I bought the reader at the time she wrote but could not find the other books. I have since found it and it is the only one to be found in Richmond, but they ask so much for it that I will not buy it until I hear from Mrs. Kearney, it is a small book priced $6.00 six dollars. I have $1.50 one dollar & fifty cents for the one I bought. Tell Bettie to let me know immediately whether to get it or not as it may be sold. 

Please send the money you have for me as soon as you can as I may need it soon. This leaves me well.

Your affectionate son,
William

I sent Bettie some music yesterday.
If she should want any songs tell her to let me know.