March 18 [1863]
Arlington heights
Dear Father
I thought that I would
write a few lines to you to
let you no that I am well
and hope that these few lines
will find you the same I
have bin paid of[f] and was
paid for 2 months and we
was paid of[f] for working on the
forts yestady you haint wrote
wheather you have hurd from
my pay or not I got 6 dollars
and I supose thare is 20 to come to
you I think that we shall be paid
of[f] again soon have you got much
snow mo and is thare much a
goin on and is stalk very heigh [1]
this spring and how does Mr
Adams come on with his catle
is he a goin to have hay enough
and has sewell let his farm
[page 2]
or not I have hurd 20 stories
about it and did Mr Chute
get home in good shape I supose
he told you how we was and
all about things Curtis is with
me now he has bin sicker since
his father left but he has got
better and will start for home
just as soon as he gets his
papers George Andrews thinks
he will have them in a day or 2
tell Mr Chute so I am glad
he is a goin home for he will
not see a well day as long as
he stays here he haint much
as he was when he came out
here he is poor and week and
has spells bloting up but he is
so to around and I am in hopes
if he gets home he will get well
he is all courage and thinks
he is a litle better. we have
[page 3]
had a few litle snow storms
here but they leave soon when
the sun comes out we have
very suden changes in the
wather Mr Chute got sick of
the weather and eliment and
I dont blame him much but
we fare very well now when
we was in the litle tents we had
rather poor stuff to eat but I
have held my one very well [2]
I weigh one hundred and 87 pounds
but for the last 2 months I
have bin very well if it want
for being out nights and standing
guard in the reign I could go
it as well as any one but it
makes me feel like a fool the
next day but in in hopes that
the 10 of June will pick us up in
Portland that is what they say
[page 4]
now we haint had any meeting
latly the chaplen is sick but
I still try to push my way on
and you must all think of us
out here in your prayers I
am in hopes to meet with you
all once more if it is the
Lords will thare has quite a
lot that started on this good
way in our rigt I belive I have
rote all that I can think of
give my love to all and
write soon and all that
is a goin on so good by
from your son Elisha
O I for got to tell you that
the boys are all well and
tough and our rig is in good
health thare haint but a
few in the hospitle now
tell mother I have got close enough
you need not send any thing to me
till I right for it I have got all I want to last often [3]