Camp 12th Regt Ala Infantry near Orange C.H. Va
April 17th 1864 [1]
Miss Syrenia Rogers
Dear Sister
It is with much
pleasure that I proceede to reply to your welcom letter
of March 29th wich came to hand last Evning I
was glad to hear from you all once more and
know you had not been tormented with the
theiving blue coats since my departure though
verey sorey to hear of Mothers and Elijah ill hea-
_lth but I hope they have recoverd and gained
their original health before now I am proud
to say I never had better health in my life
then I have had since I left old Dekalb I hav
mended considerbally since you saw me I way
about one hundred and ninty pound s about the
best man that runs the woods in these parts
well I hardley know what to write that would pro
_obley interest you all as I wrote to you a few
days ago and in that gave you all the war
news of any interest that is a flote in these parts
we are exspecting a terribal conflict in these parts
soon as the yankee army wich confronts us along
the Rapidan River has latly been reinforced by
two Corps from the Western Army they [mean?] to
take Richmond this sumer but I think their
head is not level by a good deal I am well
satesfid we will fin them out as usual wher
[page 2]
Ever they come on us be assured that when ever
they tak Richmond they will have many a dead body
to walk over our army is generally in good
health in high Sperits every way confident of
our final triomph over the horibal yankees I
think we are fully able to check any move
which they may make in these parts our army
is recruting verey fast under the last conscript
law I think we are as strong as we were twelve
month a go so taken every thing in to consideration
I think our prospects are briter then they have
been before since the commencement of the war I
feel confidente that this campaign will put an
end to the struggle in our favor of corse I
may not live to see it but if it should be my
lot to be one of the slane I fall in a right and Just
cause and knowing that I will have some friends
left to injoy the Liberties of our beloved south I
hope I may live to see our country free of blu coats
ons more I then wante all those tories in northern
Alabama cought and hang to one long pole I would
glory in seing the sight for I feel confident that
if it had not of been for their conduct we would
of gained our indipendence longe [a go?] [????????]
tories all over the south as I have no news I will
close hopping you will write a gain you all
my paper & ink is verey bad I hardley know whether you
can read it or not so good by to all John Rogers
[upside-down in top margin]
The company is all well and getting tollarbale good
Rations give my well wishes to [?]ath Pat and
Tell them to write to me John Rogers