Sullivans Island March 1st 1863

Dear Wife I avail myself of the opportun
ity of addressin you a few lines which leaves me
well hoping this may reach you injoying good
helth, I have nothing new of importance to
relate to you I see nomore prospect of a fight
heare now than when I left the Island
Evry thing seemes perfectly quit.
March 2nd Sience I have comenced righting this
morning wee discover the fleet in stone river
but we cant tell theire intention or when
tha intend to make the attact but it lookes
like tha intend doing something at some time,
Dear Rachel, I landed safe on the Island the
Eavnin after I left home a little before dark
the Next morning I was ordered to Report myself
to the Col I did so and found him in a vary good
umer and after talking with him a while
he ses well go on to tuting again he Echused me
chearfulley after all theire big fuss about it
and trying to condem me to cleare themselves
and my good friend Benenbeger telling big
tail about my being in columbia trading
horse and all this kind thing but thanke
gacious the col is not through with him yet
and he ses he will Break him from sucking
Egg before he gits through with him so I am
verry glad he is in a worse fix than myself
[page 2]
Dear Rachel I want you to finish any
Eniform when you covniantly can doe so but
I dont want you to send it to me untill I
right to you to doe so, I understan we are to
draw another uniform in the corse of a weeke or
two if so I will have plenty of clothing heare for
the presant without sending Enney more from home
but it will be well Enough for you to finish
making them and have them in rediness,
Dear Rachel I have riten to Henry to bring me
some whisky when he comes down Calvin also
wants him to git him a g[alon?] and only to bring
a bottle of it and leave the balance with Hariet
you will pleas tell Henry the way in which
he want him to dispose of it Dear Rachel you will
pleas Excuse this Short letter as I have not yet
geatherd news Enough to fill a longer one
I would be glad to heare from you and how
you are all giting along at home when you right
let me no how the hogs and cattle are doing and if
Rose has got a calf, you must try to take ceare of
them and perticulary take ceare of yourself and
sisey give me all the news accept my Best
Respects for yourself and little sisey
your affectionate Husban Till Death
Mrs Rachel E. Jefcoat John J. Jefcoat