Arlington Dec 5th 1862

Dear Brother
I will
try and write a fiew lines
to tel you about things
and matters in general well
my health is poor enough
I can tell you and I wish
that I was at home and
you two my Back has troubled
me a great deal for the
last month and I seam out
of order all round. and it has
been real hot for quite a number
of days and the mosketoes have
been as thick as they could bee.
you was a real [nusance?] for
enlisting I think we dont
have any thing to do now for
they have killed all of the cattle
and wont draw aney more untill
they move. which side and where
bouts are you encamped of.
and how do you like your
Officers and the Soldiers life.
[page 2]
well I donot think of any
news to write and will close
and I guess you will have a
hard time to read this
good day from your Brother
A. M. Brackett
I would like a fiew postage stamps
if you have aney
ensted of James P. Mirrow
we will have it James E. Morrow.
[Swombley?] told us rong.
write soon and I will do
better next time
but dont crow tomuch for we will be back [1]
before long [2]
Monday morning I feal a great deal
better than I did yesterday my back
doesant acke hardly aney when do you expect
to come out here
now that Orrin & I have both left [3]
Well Father Mother and all hands at home
how do you prosper nowdays how maney
bushels of Apples and potatoes are you
going to get Henry I guess you will have
to take a whole [row?] and keep up with Father
and keep dont cut the potatoes you cant
go and see Guss now take care there
June Bug on a sun fish [wet?] you doin dare
I rekon there is a rite smart chance for you
to work. Well Nell have you got dinner
ready what have you got any John Q Gridirons
you wont have quite so much to do
[written in left margin]
bag and baggage
I rekon that will
do for this time

[written upside down in top margin]
dont wory about
me for I shal
bee all right
soon