July 31 1863
Athins Harse pital
Dear Brother I take this opportunity
to in forme you that I am Not well at
this time I am at the harse pitle Nocking
Along Some tims Alitle beter and then
wearse ardly Hal my self and less pallard
Henery Allen and walker and Jef andeson ar
all at this horse pital thy all seeme to be beter
ardely Hal has Bin prety bad but is beter
now we have A greate maney Cavelery
in this Contery at this time Rakin the
wheete Oats as we ga no one Can tell
the movements ot this time we have
seen A hard time cents you left the Camp
I swaped my horse for A mule and swaped
the mule for A good yowng mar and got
$1:25:00 to boot I had rather have my mar
than the horse I hav Rote Severel times home
and hav recvd No Answer I would like
to hire from home and know what the
times is in our Contery pleas Right
as soon as you get this leter and let
[page 2]
me know how you ar All geting Along
we have had some fun sents you left
as we went Along our Commands is at the
first station blow Noxville they have bin
to Jonesville A gaine we have got our
horses with us and lift them in the
Contery wher they ar [hou?]sing Well when
We will leave hire is unknone to us if
you ar unable to Come backe send
Sertifficates back and all will bee right
we ar Coming to the Conclosion that
the war will be Closed by the 1 of
Janwary from the best infimation
We Can get it is genely thought
that thare is moves making for peace
know but is is hard to tell aney thing
A boate it I Donte know when I will
Come home Not before Colde wether I
Recon So No more at present
But Remain your offetionate Brother
L S M Mathes to David Mathews
let me know if your making any
Brandy or knot