Sullivans Island July 29th 62
Dear Wife
I seate myself to address
you a few lines which leaves me
in a lingering condission my helth
is very bad I have not bin well
sience I reached the Island altho
I feel some better than I was
I am still under the doctor
and taking medican I have a
verry bad cough and hurting in
my brest but it is some better
than it was I have not asked the
Doctor for a furlough yet but I
Expect to ask him for one as soon
as I git able to come home altho
it is likely I may be disapointed
I understan the are going to send
all of the sick soldiers from this
Island to the hospital in Columbia
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so tha may send me theire too
but I intend to try to come home
if I can and if tha wont let me come
tha may send me to columbia
I dont intend to report myself
for duty until I git well hospital
or no hospital I would fair as well
theire as I doe hear I Expect and
I would be a little closter home
Eny how so tha can do as tha pleas
but I dont believe the Doctor
will send me theire in my
fix for I only need a little medicon
and rest that my lungs can
heal and git rid of this bad
cough I have. there is no chance
of my Ever geting well if I
continue trying to practis music
Evry day I have tried that long
Enough and I intend when tha
git to practice again it will be when
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I feel better than I have felt for
the last month Mr Carer is wiling
that I should go home as ses the Doctor
aught to send me home until I
git well and I hope the Doctor
will be of the same opinion when
I aske hime for a furlough I intend
to try him to morrow or Next day
if I continue to mend so if he
will let me off it is likely I may
be home by the time this reaches
your hand, but wee cant tell
what disapointments wee may
meet with Deare Rachel altho
I feel quite weake and feeble
you cant imagin how well I
could Enjoy your fond and tender
imbrace ware I with you I imag=
=in it would be good medican and
I kno it would help me too
had I some good cool water from
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the well and meny other nerish=
=ments I could mention at home
but I must try to doe the best
I can until I have the pleasure
of Enjoyin those blessing at home
Dear Rachel I have no news
attall to interest you with from
the Island Every is perfectly
quiet heare nothing attall stering
new Dear Rachel you must try to take
good cear of yourself and little sisy
you recolect the eavning I was home
the cattle came up to the gate and I
put the dogs to them and the cows
got vey mad an try to hook the dogs an
would hooked me if I had got in the way
I have bin afraid sience that some of you
might try to dog them off in the same
way and sisy might run out among
them an tha would hook her I hope
you will be cearful with her as
you no she is a regular tom boy
accept my kindest regards
your affectionate husban
R.E. Jefcoat John. J. Jefcoat