Pigeon Rive
Haywood County
North Carolina

July 24th 1862
Cousin William
It is with
pleasure I write you
a few lines in answer
to yours of the 9th inst
which came to hand in
due time. I was very
glad to hear from you
to hear you was well
this leaves me well and
I hope it will find
you enjoying the best
of health when it comes
to hand
[page 2]
I have no news of interest
to write. Times are hard
in this part of the
Confederacy. the boys are
very near all gon from
old Haywood now and those
that are not alreddy gone
are going to start in a
few days, there has been
four companies made
in Haywood in a short
time or at least since the
conscript law was passed
There was to be a Regt
organized at Waynesville
to day. I hope it
will not be long till
the last Yankee will
[page 3]
be driven off southern
soil and our southern boys
be permited to return
to their homes and friends
I think if they get a few
more such whippings as
they got at Richmond
they will have to quit
and I hope they will always
get Just such or a little
worse for I tell you our
boys of the south are
the ones that can give
it to them in evry battle
if they can get the chance
at them cousin give
my respects to cousin
John. The Family all send
their love to you and
[page 4]
friends. I wish yu
could get to come to
Haywood soon our
camp meeting comenced
the 7th of August I
wish you could be
at it but it looks
like there would be
no gentlemen there at
all this year I think
it will be a camp meeting
of ladies this time. I
shall have to quit
for this time you
must write as soon
as you can and let
me hear from you. I
am as ever your cousin
Good bye [??] Sallie Har