Miners hill October 8 th 1862
[1] Dear Brother I take my pen
in hand to let know that I
am well at present and
hoping these few lines will
find you in the same state
of health I received your
letter and was glad to hear
from you I like it well
yet and hope I wont come
into no battle before I
come home plenty to eat
and drink so far yet I
would like to know
where John is I understood
in the last letter that he
is not at home and what
you are working at present
time tell [w??] to write
me a letter and let me
know wether you have cooked
apple butter already wether
[page 2]
you had such a party again
like last year let me know
wether engels house is one
and how john p[oke?] is getting
along wether he is single
yet and what he is working
at present
that is all for the [present?]
write as soon as you can