february the 21. 1862
Head quarters Hampt tons legeon
Dear fother I Seat my Self down
this morning to let you now that
the buoys is all well i am sorter
poley with abad coal pau i will
tell you the neuse that hapened last
night pau as wee was [????????]
now thair was one com pany
of the lea geon out on picket and
the sentenal thought that he
heard the yankeys And the [larm?]
was given in camp the long roal
was beat and the orders
was giv fall in that the yankeys
was right hear we throan on
Hour coutre ments and fel in
And march about a half a mile
And forme aline of bat tle
but the rascals woodent come
Wee Staid thair about and
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Hour Stan Ding in the
coal mud the mud and
warter was Shou mouth deap
Wee loaded hourerl guns wee wod
A giv them pur fect jessy if tha
wod a come Right Soon A H Dalton
Mother I have nothing of import
Ance to right i doant be leave
I ever had as bad a coal as i have got
I cante hardley hear out of one
of my ears head is Stop up So
with coald i wish the yan keys
A had a come hit doant take
but [????] to fight the
Rascal mother i wish you
Wood Send me Some hog meat
I never wanted som hog meat
As bad in my life my quilt
never has come i wish i had hit
Hour rash ings is Small
I must come to a close right soon
A H Dalton no more at present