Saltketcher River January 30th 1865
Dear Wife With pleasure I devote a few moments in
writing you a few lines Which leaves myself and Brothers
well hoping this may Reach you and all in the Best
of helth I had the pleasure of Receiving yours of the 28 ult
and 5th inst a few days ago and was glad in deed to hear from
you once more and to heare that you ware in fine helth
and the meney affectionate lines which tha contained
and if I could see you I would reply to them in a
diferant forme to what I have to doe on paper I will
parden you for speaking so plain concerning the matter
I would happy to have the pleasure of injoyin the good things
which you have bin saving for me with so much care
I am sorry to say to you that it lookes imposable for me to git
a furlough to come home we sent up our furloughs a few
days ago last night tha came back disapproved you may
gess how bad I feel to day I am completly harte broken to see
how little we are cared for after all our hardships and
suffering now tha cant spear us for the short space of
ten days which was all we applyed for dont you think
it a shame to treate white men with so much disrespect
tho our Regimentel and Brigade athority did their part tha
approved of them but the commander of the post disapproved
them which is Mclaw I wish the devil had him
this morning I feel just like picking up my Baggage
and Marching for home Eney how I think it would be right
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My Dear we are still near the same place we ware
when I rote you last we didnot moove but a short distance
direct your letters as I stated to you when I was near
Charleston and it will be all right Rachel Henry
tells me you Wished to hear from me concerning your
Mooving to you fathers if I could see you I would say
much concerning the matter but as I have it to write I
will say but little you can doe as you please about it
but if you should doe so I dont want you to moove Eney
of my things there but leave them with mother and tell
her I say for her to take care of them for me,
I have no news of interest to write you at presant Evry thing
still remains quiet we have strong rumers of peace
but I cant believe it to be true I dont believe Eney of our
athoritys had got sence Enough yet to make peace but
tha can doe as tha please about it I dont much care whether
tha make peace or not I hope I will be able to stand the
war as long as Eny of them. we have had some verry coal
wether for the last few days a little colder than Esiol [1]
in South Carolina but not as cold as Verginia yet
this River is falling fast I Expect we will have to go back in
the swamp in a few days I Close for the presant give
my love and Respects to mother an Annie and heep of
houdy for Sisey and Rosey with Meney kisses
My Regards and Best Wishes for yourself
as Ever your Devoted Housband til Death
Mrs R. E. Jefcoat John J Jefcoat