Fort Smith Aug. 16th 1864
Dear Sis it is a long time sinc
I have writen to you and this after--
noon as I have plenty of time I
will try to write yow a few lines to
let you know that I have not forgot--
en you I recieved a letter from father the
8 or 9 and have neglected to answer it
on acount of sicness I have had a kind
of a fever for seven days now and have
been off of dewty but I am geting better
fast it is very warm wether here now we had
a little shower last night the first rain
that we have had in a long time our
offasers have been drilling us with sab--
ers laitly we have got perfact in the
musket drill and thay wanted something
new thay are goin to have us jack of
all traids birst in light Artillery
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second in heavy artillery and third in
infantry and forth in cavelery I
dont know what the next will be
we ought to be abel to do good servase
knowing all branches but thay may
not have a chanc to drill us a grait
while longer the War depart ment
was to take hald of our case to day
and see how is in the wrong if it is
proved against the Calenl it will
go hard wth him I saw Charles gray
the other day his regment lays down
towards alexandria he came wp her to
see john hee looks helthy and says that
he would like to be a free man again
I would like to know where willard
is now I havent herd from him for
a long time is william married father
wrote that he had bought him a
house which of the [caets?] has he
got how is helping father now
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is aunt mary weveing now we
have been looking for the pay master
but he hasent come yet when he
does we wll get the more of it
thay have got orders to pay off the
army of the patomac before thay do
the defences old grant is move [1]
ing back again thay say I guess
that old ahe does not want to close
it up be fore he is ree elected and
then he will go in hole hog or [nowe?]
little mac will be president if
the soldiers can wate I will send
you a little bone ring that I made
in this letter I got the bone when
I was down at shantilla and
have carried it ever sinc
I dont think of much more at
present you must please write
soon yours John P Campbell
Good. By. all [2]