Sullivans Island August 18th 1863
Dear Rachel I had the pleasure of recei=
=ving your of the 14 inst last night and
am glad to hear that you are all well
but sorry to hear of so much dissatisfaction
Existing in the family I can say this much
those that are indulging in the Evil
habit dont no the worth of a peaceable
life at home or tha would certanly
appriciate it in a different way to what
tha doe, if tha had to be bound heare in
servis for six months tha would consider
such quite differant and be perfectly
wiling to stay at home and mind their
own bisness you cant imagin my feeling
when I consider what a curse has befau
=lin the family and what is the caus of it
Dear Rachel my helth is sum better than
when I rote you last tho I am verry weak
yet as for giting a furlough I consider it
amposable for tha are at least oen third
of the Regt now sick with dirah and you
no it is imposable for them all to git off
[page 2]
at such a critical time as this so I will
have to try to stand the test the best I can
may god help me to stand to the last days
Dear Rachel the fight heare is still
going on yet Evrry day tha ware verry
heavy firing going on all day yesturday on
Morris Island with considerable damage don
our Regt was sent over theire last Satur=
=day night and wen under all the heavy
firing yesturday I heard this morning
tha was three men killed in the 20 Regt
and several wounded but I heare of non
being hurt in com D. I will try to
send you a paper or too this mail then
you can read with more satisfaction
what is going on than I can right
Der Rachel I rote you last week by col Daniel
Livingston and had inclosed thirty dollars
I would be glad to no if it has bin received
Der Rachel if you cant git brandy on better
terms than ten dollars a bottle I dont
want Enney at that prise not yet Jake
[page 3]
Dear Rachel in your of the 14 you spoke of
some of the pleasant times we have had to
=gether at home you can not imagin how
often I take into deep consideration all the
plesant passtimes that we has Ever had together
I dont think theire is a single instance
that has Ever passed between us but what
passes through my mind with greaf and sorrow
to think those plesant times are passed and
gon never to return again, Der Rachel I dont
wish to dishartin you what Ever but doe you
no my candid oppinion on the result of this
war, Rachil I candidly believe wee are a whip=
=ed and ruin people now if wee had sence
Enough to no it. I see no hope for us whatever
unless furin power interfeare and I see but little
prospect of that. how it hurts my feelings
when consider what a plesant country
wee once had what a happy people wee
aught to have bin when we could git
Enney thing that hart could wish
and now we are deprived of Evry thing but
[page 4]
juss sorrow and trouble Dear Rachel
I have not for some time heard from
my catle and hogs and corne I would
like heare how tha are all giting along
Dear Rachel you had bet try to git your
wheat sund and have it sent to Mill [1]
if you have to hier it don as for keep=
=ing Enney for seed you can use your own
notion about that I dont care perticular
whether you doe or not, but if you
should you best have it weell sund
and sprincle a little ashes among it
to prevent weavles, I come to a close by
presenting my best love and Respects to yours=
=elf and little sisey till her pa sends
her heep houdy give Mother and Ann
my best love and Respects tell them I
heare but little from them tha must all
be forgoten that I once a conection of the
family my love to you all may wee all meet
again when wars shall be no more good bye
your affectionate John. J. Jefcoat till Death