[printed stationary of the 118th Ohio Infantry]
Falmouth, Ky Comp C Dear cousin
I take this
oppertunity of wiriting you a
few lines in hopes that
they may find you all well
as it leaves me in good health
at present I received your
kind letter and was glad
to hear from you,
[page 2]

What a good thing
it is that we cannot
be sepperated so that
we cannot write each
other what a great
blessing it is that we
can write

Now Mary Jane it is
no use for me to
try too write all the
news for I cannot write
them all down in a day
if I was with you to
day we could find plenty to
talk about for a day or two

We are still in the
old place yet where we
expect to stay all winter
we give the rebbles a chace
ever once and a while a man
came in and said he was
shot by some sesesh a
bout amile from camp so
[page 3]
Captain called us out
at twelve oclock and
went out ten of us on
horse back and give them
chace but could not
get holt of them
Well I will bet if they
dont be sharp we will
get them for we catch
some once and awhile

You talk of Sam
putting the girls thogh
a well all wright but
tell him not to run
him self down while he
is yong or else he will not
feel like it when he gets
old Well I must leave off
for this time tell your
father that I will write
to him as soon as I can
tell him to excuse me for
I out to have rote to him
sooner
[page 4]

Please write soon for
I like too hear from you
Your affectionate
Stephen Johnston
To his dear cousin Mary Jane



P.S. Tell John that
I would like to hear
from him, S. J.