May the 5th 1862

My Dear son
I received you kind letter to day
it gave me great pleasure to hear from you
you must take good care of Tom and Fanny
untell I come home and see them you said you
wanted to know what I get to eat in camps
well Jimmy we get enough to eat such as it
is but I can tell you it is very course
fare it is not as good as the collards and
Bacon and clabber you speake about having
at home we get some Bacon and Beef
meal Flour and hominy and some saugar and rice
Jimmy you must write to me a gain by Sid or
your uncle John when they come in camps
a gain I must close by saying that I remain
your affectionate Farther untell Death
Joseph A. Drummond