[1] In the field near peatersburg
July the 18. 1864
Dear parents
As I have just returned
to my company for duty I thought
I would write you a few lines
allthough it isent long since
I wrote but I suppose you would
like to hear from me every day
if I could geta chance to write
but I will write as often as I can
and you must do the same for it
has bin som time since I hurd
from you.. I received the letter
you wrote about the 23 of june and
I have received non since they
have all left of[f] writing I havent
received one from John for
two months and I dont know
as he is going to write agan
and I received one from aunt
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heriet a long time ago
I ssuppose she thinks I must
answer it and I shall when
I get time and I think I shall
write to john to day and see if
I cant coaks a letter from
him I suppose he works at
[sony krook?] yet = now as for
my health it is better then it
was allthough I dont fele very
well yet the climate dont agree
with me very well here in hot
wether for it is awful hot
and sultry we havent had
eny rain hardly for two months
and the dust is six inches deep
in the roads which slumps
just like ashes and the creeks
are all dried up so you can imagin
e how the country is out here – now
I suppose father is buisy heying
now and how is the grass this
year heavy or light and who
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has he got to help him
get it frank is gon aint
he and there is only arthur
and jug and ware is deak now
I should like to be there and go
hefing is the old mary Gardner
sound yet = now what do they think
of the war at home I suppose
they think it will close this
fall but mind you there is going
to be a good deal of fighting yet
things dont look out here as they
do at home allthough we cant
tell how long it will last –
now I suppose sumner is at home
now or will be soon and I want
you to write as of ten as you
can and write all the knews
yours truly
James