James Island so ca
July the 10th 1862
My Dear wife I seat myself
to write you a few lines to
inform you that your letter
of the 4th has been received
you said you were not all
well but up an never
said what was the matter
I should like for you to
say when any of you are
unwell what is the matter
with you I hope this may
find you all well I am
as well and hearty as I
ever was in my life I weighed
this morning 160 pounds
and I think if nothing happens
to me I will reach 175 before
much longer I received a letter
from Basil last night and
he said you were all well
last sunday John is well and
so are all of them from
our neighborhood
[page 2]
There is some cases of measles
in the Regt but not many
and some fever I heard this
morning that James Bates
was dead he was sick and
was sent to the hospital in
Columbia where he died
I do not know whether his
people has heard of it or not
you can tell Mr Lains
folks of it
The yankees have left this
Island and gone to some other
place. I dont know where
but it is thought they are
gone to the North as this
place did not suit them
as well as they expected
it would and it is thought
we will go back to Charles
-ton before long but I dont
know whither it is so or not
I had rather stay here than
to go to the city as we have
[page 3]
better water and more liberty
here but I am willing to
go any where the Rulers
think we will be most needed
Dear Martha you say you
want me to come home if
I can and then you said
in the same letter that
you did not beleave I
wanted to come or would
come if I had the chance
to do so I can tell you
you are very much mistaken
about it I want to come
as bad as yow want to see
me come but there is no
chance yet but I hope there
will be before much
longer the first chance that I
get I will make use of
it but when I see
no chance I make my self
easy so I can hear yow are
all well
[page 4]
say to Father and the girls
I will write to them as
soon as I can get some stamps
and get the chance as my
stamps are out untill I get
some more I cant write
you must tell Jimmy and
Ida howdy for me and
kiss them to boot as
I cant be at home to kiss
them myself tell them
to be good children and
mind what you say to
them and when I come
home I can tell them a
heap that I have seen
and heard since I left
them so no more but
remain your ever
loveing husband
Joseph A Drummond