Camp Franklin Dec 5th [1861]
Alexandria Va

My dear freind
As I have
a few lesure moments to spare I
thought I would write a few lines
to you. I am well and in good spirets
and I hope you are the same you
must excuse me for not writeing
soon for you know that I
aint got much time to spare
after drilling 4 hours in a day
and besids that keep my cobetra [1]
ments in order that is clean I haft
to shine my buttons and all
brasses and my shooter that I
must do every day for dress
parade and inspection ther boys
are all in good spiret and
ready for a fight at the shortes
[page 2]
notice we are pretty well
drilled wich is near time.
I like soldering first rate
as far as it is concerned It is
cold here in the night but
in the day it is plesant
we have had a little snow
but not much just a nough
to cover the ground. we are
camped on a nice little hill
but nothing like that good
old hill in Pottsville It is
about 4 miles from Alexandria
we had marching orders about
two weeks ago. first we camp[ed?]
at a place that we called
camp pottsville. but now
we are two miles further south
we marched from camp Pottsville
with out knapsaks & tents on
our backs wich is 2 miles we live verey
[page 3]
comfortable here we build a
log cabben and put our tents
on the top of the logs and
made a brick [floor?] in under
the floor (excuse mistaks) and
now we are as happy as a pigs
in the pen I must tell you who
i bunk with. mr Tomas G Houck
Rigg madison Dentzer and
Dampman Esqrs. we got fine
black overcoats and are very
heavy yesterday we had a
target p[r]active to see the
best two shots in the board
Tom Houck put two balls with
in one inch of the centre and
bob Danials put a ball in
between toms two (I come about
120 feet from the target) no I
was on gaurd and could not
get a chance to shoot I was
wishing for a secesh to come
within 50 yards from me I
[page 4]
would let him feel a union
putty ball I would show him
were he lives. as you used to say
that is if I would not miss
him. that is all for the pres[ent?]
My Respects to all freinds express
ly Bill ste[ven?].
your freind
James W Hoepstine
excuse bad writing
if you pleas
Write soon and tell me if
you heard from Philip &
Rufus if you hae let me
know something about them

tedd Smith sends his Respects to you

Direct your letter to
James W Hoepstine Vo. A 96
Regt P. Vols in care of capt
L S Hay
Alexandria
Va