[1] October 19 1862
Dear Sir
I take my pen in hand
to leve you know that we are all
well at this time and I hope when
these few lines reaches you they may
find you and your family the same
I just Came to the Conclusion that
I would right you a few lines in
tensionly to know how the times was
in the [cone?] the reason that I would
like to know is this becaus I had a
mind for to come out there this fall
some time I would a roght out to my
old acquantence befor now but however I
did not know where to direct my
letters to till Miss fockler told me
mother said I that should right to you
folks to hear how you were a geting along
for she often talks of you well I think
that I will Close I heard that some of
the boys were in the army and i would
have been there to but I was exemp o the
account of my health last spring I
had a verry severe attack of the lung
fever and have been sickly ever since
[page 2]
now I will col close again
but please anser this as soon
as at comes to hand and let me
know all about it nothing more
but my love and respects to
you and your family and all
inquiring friends
Please anser soon
the next time I will right more
Direct your letter to
S Smithburg
Wash Co MD
I remain your friend
John L Marker

mother keeps house for me in
smithburg old milse to d[r]inking
and treated her verry bad and
then he left her took eney thing
from her even the best bed from
his poor children and ever since
her and I have been living together