Alabama River May 21st 1863
Julian I write to let you know how and
where I am I am on the alabama river below
montgomery. the regt left charleston about 2 oclk
last Sunday & I left on Tuesday morning. I past the
Rigt yesterday morning before they got to montgomery
we all got together there & went down to the boat
& got aboard about 12 oclk there is two Regts on
the boat and the boat is fast on the sand & has
ben for the last two Hours. we will go on the boat
to selma & then we take the rail road ro Maridian
from there to Jackson Miss, we are now about
half way from charleston to Jackson Miss
my health is not verry good the fatiague &
[loss?] of sleep & rest [???????] made me sick [1]
infact I was sick day before yesterday & part of
yesterday but feel better to day if I could get some
sleep which I have not had since I left charleston
for I have not had room since to day at my
length to rest nor sleep, all the boys from our
neighbourhood is tolerable well. I have no more
to write we begin to have a little of the fortaste
of hard ships I do not know where I will mail
this letter. yet, when we stop I will write again
& direct you how to write me.
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you must try to do the best you can I could
of seen a man shot last Monday at charleston
but did not com to put my self to any trouble
to see it as I expect to see a plenty of such
scenes shortly if times do not get better
for we are going right in amongst the yankeys
I expect it will take us 3 or 4 days longer
to get to Jackson if nothing happens to me I
will write as soon as we stop, then you
must write me all the newse, tell [?]mly
he asked me for a letter, give my love to
the children & accept a good portion your self
so good by for this time. Yours Truly,
J Carter