August the 8 1862
Dear sister I take my pen
in hand to drop you A fiew
lines to let you know that I
am mending very fast I hope
this will find you all in good
health I was sorry to hear of
Pa getting hurt. I Received your
kind and welcom letter to day
well I will give you A history
of where all I have bin first
when I taken the measles I
was put in an old out house
with some more men and kept
there till I had liked to died
I saw Claton Mock die when I
was taken to the hospital
I could not walk I staid in
Richmon 5 weeks and was sent
from there to Stanton up in
the valley one hundred and fifty
[page 2]
miles from Richmond and
staid there 4 weeks I come
from there to the Regiment they
started to join jackson the next
day so I was left behind with
the sick at the Brigade hospittal
there is A 11 of our Company
here. I wish I was at home to
Eat beans and cucumbers and all
kinds of vegitables we cant get
nothing here for less than 3
or 4 Dollars Chickens is selling
from 1 to 3 Dollars A peice
Eggs 1.50cts butter 1.50cts
I will send this in R.E. Rowlands
letter I must close as I have
nothing more to write give my
love to all them family give
Aunt nannie love nothing
more but remains your Brother till
Death W.R. Blakely
[page 3]
I want you to send me
one shirt and one pair of drawers
and one pair socks you said
something about an overcoat
I dont think that I will need
one. I would like for Pa
to send me A bottle of brandy
if he has any made or whisky
write soon I will write Again
soon I send you my best
love To E. F Blakely