Memphis Tennessee   December 25th 1863  Dear Eliza  I recivd your letter of the 16th last Tuesday and was very glad to here from you all I feel very lonsom to day I would like very much to be with you to day to spent Crismus with you at hom I wish I could sent you all something but thair is no use to talk about such things for every thing is so high here and no muny to buy with and I hope it will not be so next Crismus I hope we shel all be to gether by that time again, I expected Willy would disapinted my not letting him com down here but it would not do for him to be here and the Col Pease will  tell you and him so Frank said so to when I told him about it for it is no  place for boys like him in camp 
        I would like very much to to have one of the other pictures of lizzy standing up you say the one I got is not a very good one I think it is a very good one but  be shure and sent me one of the others I would like to know why William never writes to me I would like very much to get a letter from him once more and here from him and see how he improves in writing and Frank and lizza also to see if thay can write any so now I must close hoping this may find you all well as this leaves me and write soon your affectionate husband   J. G. Burggraf