Hilton head, SC, April
the 19, 1863
Dear Father and Mother
As we have just returned
from the expedition i think
i will write a few lies to
let you know that i am
well and hopeing that
this will find you the
same i suppose you will
get and read long Before
you will get this so you
will get the full detail
of owr voige we landed here
yesterday morn and was buisily
ptching tents all day or else
i should have wrote
i never was here before
but was on ST Helena
that is on the other
[page 2]
side of the Creek i dont
know how long we shall
stay here but the talk
is we are going back to
Newbern i dont know
but i had as livs stay
here fit is only healthy
here is whare general
mitchel died last sum
mer i think things will
be quite convenient Aafter
we get legulated and i
think we shall fiar
pretty well you wanted
to know our fair we
have salt horse rice hominy
beans Coffee hard bred pork
tea potatoes and fresh meat
and soft bred when we
can get them but mind
we have our ration and
more that is what
[page 3]
is the matter but i
generaly get enough
now we have had two
mails since i got one
now if you write as often
as once a fortnet i dont
get them all for the
last one but one
ihadent had for a
month but one a month
is better then non
i was very glad to get
frank picture much
more to get yours
and Fathers i have
sent for John Ba[??]
pictures i never saw
it he sed he would
send it when i sent
mine whether he will
send it or not i dont
know now i would like
martha ver well
[page 4]
now you knew that
Chickerin was speaking
about the word arnold
there is a man in Co
G by that name he is in
the gardhouse about half
the time now i Cant
think of much more
to write only i should
like to be at home a
few days to go spearing [1]
now i must draw to a
Close so good by till agan
write soon With
Love to all
J B L