No 27 Newport News Va [March] 22st [1863]

Dear Wife Sunday moring it is very Plesant
Iit Comenced s[n]owing Thursday moring snowed till
Till Friday night I. had to Go on Pickets Friday
it snowed very fast we Got very wet we
had Good fire no Shelter no tent had to Go half
Mile to Cut Green wood (Ceader) Got in Camp
Saturday about over shoes in slosh all the way
In one Place went over my Boots in warter
the Sun is Caring the snow very fast to day
There is three on a Post on Pickets we sat all
Night over fire some dosing I. think James. L.
Torry. Martin D. Burrell. and my-self on Post
37 in the Whole I rote a letter to Elisha
Thursday the 19 I. think I did not date it or Put
The Name of the Place you must tell him the
Reason. I did not I. Expected finish that day so
I. forget It. you speak about having the
Doctor I. think you done well in Giting along
Without him I think you not stop that
Papper so quick by sending that money he
think he Can Git some more But do not take
them out of the office
[page 2]
We have Expect to have to move this week where
God on I. doint no we think to Baltimore then
To tennesee by Cars or march we doint no that
Iit is to Bad we do not Git our Pay so we Could
have a Good time before we went I think
you had spent that $2.00 For a Papper For the
Childdren you ask if thers is universilest
I. doint fiend many oridox mo eny thin els
you ned feer my being any worse if you
Want Join that Cogs I. think you would have
Good times engoy yourself I think I should
Join my self If I was to home I doint think
Them Pappers will hurt me I should like
Some one that had sho[r]t stor[i]es in them
I shall rite to Mother soon aghain I should
to hear from eny one but Cant anser all for
Ressent I shall soon as I Can but I.
Think I shall be in a different Place
I. thank you for the money 10 ct and the
stamps I soppes Lester will Go to schooel
Some this summer and to Sabbath school
It it doint cost more then $2.00 I think I.
[page 3]
shall Come home by and by after it Gits
Warsn wether would you like to see me
you Need not send eny more Papper for Present
For I want eny more for Present for it Git
spoilt in marching I will send when I want
It tell Charlotte Mriah to rite aghain
And Soipha. If yow Could Git the life [of?] [word obscured by fold]
Magor Willard Who was killed at Fredrickburg
I saw him on the Battle feiald he says Com on
Boys I Lead you he was shot few minutes
After his Diary of our march and of our mode
of life you Can Git it in Boston

Good By

I feell very well after Picket dutty

A kiss for All

James Pratt
the snow was from 8 to 12 inches heare
on a Level