January th 22 1862
Dear Father Camp ground near newbern
I assume my Seet to Aquaint
you that I am well at presant hoping thoes few
Lines will reach you ingoying the the Same blessing
I received A Letter from Mother Afew days Ago
and She Stated in it that all the family was
well except Sister Ann She was Sick with the
measels I was Sorry to here that She had them
because I know that thay will go through the hole
family and also She Stated that you was going
to Willimington or newbern before long and that
you wanted to know what pork is Selling at
I have inquired I Suppose that they will give
from 10 to 12 ½ cts per pound Mr Cox the Last of
Last week could have got 15 cts A pound for
Lard but I do not know what it is Selling
at now but it is A good price the town
is tourn up So bad that they are Afraid to
buy any thing for nearly all of the women
is gon up the Cunty and Some of the men
we all expect thair will be A battle here Soon
we are expecting evry day to Leave here and go
down the river one nite Last week the Long
role but for us to be in Line of battle in A few
minuts and we got up and put on our clothes and
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and all of our equpips nents and guns and was
in Line of battle in thirty minuts and we
thought that we Should have to go of then but
we marched About one hunderd yards and
the Curnal thank us for beeing in Line of
battle in such A Short time Also A monday
nite we ware orderd to cook three days of
pervesion and it was role call then
father it is A cerious time when A person is
orderd to die in ranks Amdiately but I was
not Scurd it only made me have curious feeling but
I trust in god that he will take care of me
I Suppose that you have heard that I have been
praying in public it is true that I held prayre
in Daniel Whaleys tent twice when he was Sick
but me and S F Crosland Capt burry brother an
Law is going to hold praye evry night he is in
the babtis church and preays in public I think
he is A good man I received your Letter that you
rote when the preacher rote one side it was A num
ber one Letter I expect to write to Mr Smith Soon
I want you to come if you can it is not fur
it is getting Late and I must come to A close
by Saing that I remain your Son untell death
John W. Williams to F. H. Williams
I way one hunderd and fifty eight pound I have
[continued in right margin]
Gaind 15 pounds sence I Left home