August 18th 1862
Camp near Rickmand va
My Dear wife
it is with pleasure I take
the pleasure of addressing you
afew lines to inform you
as I am well but I havent
got my streanth yet I am
inhopes as those few lines
will reach and find you all
injoying good health
Mary I want to see you all
worse any thing on earth
and I am inhopes as I shall see
you all soon. I think as peace
will be made soon Alexander
Denison and P L Whitfield
got here on Saturday I recd
your kind and affectionate
letter and was glad to hear
from you I exspect to tak
[page 2]
dinner with you Chrismas
it is very cole here all most
cold enugh for frost and has
been for several days Pa want
to know what sort of
clothing I send by him
I send a summer coat a for
pa up new drawers and a
Bible I think as that was
all as I sent the balance
was Jesse Walkers we are
under marching orders and has
been for several days but we
dont know where we are agoing
the most of us thinks as
we will go to Kinston NC but
we dont know where if we
march at all I think as it is
where we go at all give my love to
all inquiring friends yours J. W. Whitfield
[in top margin upside-down]
Lt J Harper Come down from
Gordanville he brought 32 prisons
he said that Jackson will have a fight
soon