Camp Newbern January th 24: 1863
Dear sister I take the pleasure of riting
To you as I had promised I havent received
Any letters from you for some time
I am well and harty and I way heverry [1]
Then ever I did and the rest of the boys
are all well Excepting William. Muser
you requested me to let you know how John
Wildonger [2] was coming on I must tel you
that he Skedaddled at Camp Philadelphia
he is A Coward and he isant worth A
good woman
We are under marching orders and thare
is know teling how soon we may leve
but that is just what I like for I like to
travel and see the contery
I must tel you what is going on in our
tent I was Studing tacticks and Solom=
=on. C. Mill was reading the bible and
Luis Hillpot was reading the news
paper and Reed Keeler and Tobias Hager
was plaing Cards and in company A
thare was some Praying and some cursing
and swaring and that is the history
of Camp Life
[page 2]
Dear Sister I forgot to tel you that I
Saw Benjaman Wagner at washington
the time our regment came throught thare
last fall and I had quite A talk with
him: and he was well: and he told me
to send his best respects to the famly
I would like to know how malinda
yong son was coming on and I also
would like to know hue was doing
father work and how he was coming
on with his work
Saluma I want you to let me know
weather Clayton Smith is at Erwinna
or not for I wrote three letters to him
and havent received anny
Here is A bone ring that I made for
you plese Keep this for rememberance
of me no more at present yours
truly My best respects to you all
the rest of the famly
Direct your letter to Elias. W. Gilmer
Co.. F 174 Regt.. Pa.. Militia
Camp Newbern North
Carolina