[printed Union patriotic shield in upper right of page]

Septem ber the .18. 1862
Dear fother and mother
I Seat my Self down
this eavning to let you
now that i am yet in the land of the living
I am Sick but iam giting well i am
At the horse pit tle now at a town
call Winchjester about 200 miles from
Titch mon wee hav whip the yankeys
out of va hourer army is in meruland
now fight ing ever day i hante saw the
leageon in about 3 weats i was left
be hind sick to doo the best icood
And i like to starve for some thaing
to eat i went 3 Days and never
eat noth ing but Roastin years
[page 2]
Well I am at win chester now
At the horse pit tle well i will tell
you about a kinde mother in this
town She is like a mothr to me
She give me too Shirte and made me
A havisack and wash my Shirt
And drawers and give me this
Paper and invelop and i [go?] [???]
pret ty near ever day She giv me hon ney
to eat peaches and apple well i will
Have to quit hit is git ting dark
that woomon neer charge me noth
ing I havent Saw cager Sence
Wee left Ritch mon
Right [??] the first male
winchester va A. H. Dalton