Sulivans Island May 20th 1862
Dear Rachel
I received your letter of
the 15 which give me much pleasure
in my present position to see eny
thing coming from you much more
to heare that you an my sweet
Little babe is in the Enjoyment
of good helth My Dear Rachel
this leaves me in my lingering
position I am not well nor havent
bin sence I rote to you after having
diarare for severl days I taken
fever an have bin under the
doctor ever cence but I am cleare of
fever this morning an feel verry
well only I am verry week scearsly
able to right to you but I trust that
god will provide for us in this
wild world of ware I must tell
you some thing of my dream last
[page 2]
knight I dremp of seeing you
dressed in a red flannel robe an
was neeling down by the bedside
appearantly as if at prare I cant
tell what is the meening of this
dream I have no news concerning
the ware to relate to you wee are
expecting the enemmy but dont
no when tha will make theire
appearance I would like verry much
to come home until I git well
but it is imposable to git a furlo
therefore I cant tell when I can
come home whether ever or not
there has bin some talk in camps
that wee would be sent to verginia
but I cant say whether it is true
or not if it is true I dont Expect
to have a chance even to come home
before we leave.
[page 3]
I must close by saying
I trust this may reach you an my sweet
pet Enjoying the best of helth
your Affectionate husband
John. J Jefcoat
Vacant is those armes and you apart from me
Alass my love I study an long to be with the
Remember love remember your husban for a way
No bound of Earth could sever if with
you I could stay
Love what can I do but think of hapy moments
Ive spent and past with you
And should wee never meet Love
by wars thus torn apart
Oh let us not in glory
Here to be one in hart
J J Jefcoat
I hope to
heare from you soon
[page 4]
you need not send me Eny
thing in the way of provision
untill I right for it wee are
geting plenty I never can
forgit the good friends I have
in my mess tha have give
me such kinde attention sence
I have bin sick I feel greateful
toward them for their
kind deeds
accept a kiss an dont
forgit Little sisy
you Must right to me