Gains Farm Va June 12th 1864
My Dear Rachael I again avail my
self of the opportunity of comunicating
to you a few brief lines which leaves
me well in helth also the res of my
Brothers altho tha have bin lying in
the trenches Ever sience wee came here
the Enemy have seased charging our
works for the last 4 or 5 days but wee
Eexpect them to tryit Evry day
theire is heavy scirmishing going on
Evry day our lines and the Enemys are
Within three hundred yards of Each
other [???] [four?] men git killed [or?] [1]
wounded Evry day but capt Dannelly
comp has bin remarkable luckey so fair
he has not lost a man yet while tha
have bin severl killed in other comp
in the Regt we have just begun to see
the hardships of this cruel war theire is no
one out of the war that knows the suffering whi
ch the soulder hass to go through with
I pray and want you all to help me to pray
for it to End
[page 2]
My Dear it is impossable for me to give
you a full statement of affeares out
heare you can git more information
by reading the papers than I can give
you. My Dear I have not yet received
a word from you sience I left home
dont you think it is giting time I should
heare something from you. I have writen
you twice sience I came to Richmond
on the 29 ult and 3 inst I would like to no if [2]
tha have bin received. My Dear the
place is 9 miles beyon Richmond. Direct your
letters to co D 20th Regt S.C.V. Richmond Va,
My Dear you must Excuse my short letters as I
am nearly our of paper and no chance of giting
Eney soon I wated to make what I have go as
fair as posable so you may hear from me often
if it is but a few lines is better than nothing
you must write to me Evry week you need
not send my pistol by calvin I have to use
for it heare our fair heare is prity good we
draw meat flower bacon shugar and coffee I hope
this may reach you and all well accept
my best wishes for yourself and childrin
give mother Ann and all the family
my love and respects your affectionate
Housband til Death us doe part J. J. Jefcoat
when you write give me all the news
you ask where you can git paper and stamps
I hear Elizabeth Hooker has got three childrin