Richmond. Va. Oct 31st 1862
Dear Father & Mother I take the present
oppertunity of writing to you to let you know
that I am improving in health but it is vary
slow I hope that thease lines will find
you all well when theay come to hand
I hant got nothing vary new to write to you
for I have bin heare so long at the Hospitle
that I doant git to see nothing I think I
will starte to the Regt in a few Days
I wood a bin Gown before this time but
I heard that the army was a falling back
and if the Do I woant have to walk and
if I meet with the luck not to have to
march it will sut me vary well for I doant
feel lik marching fair if I can help it I see
a little account in this morning paper of peace
Iam in hopes that is true for I want this
war to come to a close for it has causd
trouble a nuff W N. Watson hant got his
furlough yeat but the Dockter Sais he shall
have a fur loug and as soon as he startes
home I will starte to the Regt
[page 2]
I heare that thay have got the small Pox
in the camp but I cant vouch for it but
thay have it between heare and wheare
the armey is and I will have to go by
whare it is but I hant much a fraid
of the small Pox but I had rother not be
wheare the are the weather is vary pritty
and it hant bin coalder hear yeat thin I
have felt at the same time a year in S C
some thinks that we will go back to Charleston
or some wheare on the coast but I think it
doubtfull but I had rother be on the cost
thin to be heare I wood like to be at home
for I am tyred of camp life and wore out
be sides but I think this war will close
this winter give my bist Respects to
Aunt Polley & to Eliab & to Loucindey &
to all the neighboars & Friends I will
write to you the day I leave to starte
to the Regt iwill close for the presenon
Still Remaneing your Son till Death
Josiah M Barkley } doant write {J.B.O Barkley
Elisabeth Barkley } till I write a gain