Sorry, I thought I had sent the entire sentence, but I recently started
using gmail.com, and frankly, it's confusing me.  Anyway, here is the entire
letter, which was written in Georgia on a small piece of paper, folded over
and used as an envelope.  It was addressed to siblings in N.O., where the
family --originally from TN-- had moved  a few years prior to the Civil
War. The letterwriter died of cannonball wounds suffered near Atlanta.
Note:  I would prefer to keep the names private and hope you will forgive
me, as this is not my own family.

Dear *  Siblings,*
Your letter found me well but with little time
for myself.  I'm sorry for not  writing  to
you sooner. But I hope to be with you someday
soon if the fauksokutters do not get in; there are
 plenty of them some 50 miles from us.
Your affectionate  brother,
*xyz*

After all the help and suggestions  I've received on this list,   I,  too,
am inclined to think the word *fauksokutters  *was 1) written as
phonetically sounding to someone who may have been a bit familiar with
French, but not proficient;  2) was based on the French word *faucheuse, a*nd
3) might have been  slang in use at the time.

Found online:
***faucheuse*
*Cajun French * lawn
mower<http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/lawn+mower>
*
 French*** mower<http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/mower>.
*cutting machine*.  *reaper* ***     idioms:*   grim reaper    la Faucheuse


Thanks, everyone.  I can't believe how helpful you've all been.

--Tom

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