[1] St halena Nov 20th [1863]
Dear Sister I set
myself down this evning to
let you know that I am well
and I hope that these lines will
find you the same
I received your letter yesterday
and was glad to hear from you
I received louisa’s letter and
answered it she told me that
martha was married it kinder
took my breath
there has nothing transpired
here since the death of general
mitchel the sickness in the
Regt is getting better than it
was out of [800?] there is nearly
300 fit for duty
I received a letter form martha
she still is in downingtown
and is going to house keeping
in the spring
[page 2]
bully for the nantmill boys
for riding the pedlar
on the rail he must had a
good ride I rote to mother I and
directed it to wallace PO I suppose
she has got it and I wrote to
Lewis grubb also and samuel
happerset I was verry glad that
you sent me them postage stamps
for I was most out
It appears that the girls and
boys are getting married verry fast
I dont want all the girls to
get married before I come back
for I want one myself
I received a letter in the same
Mail that your letter come in
we would have bin in a battle
only this regiment was of[f] duty
for thirty days when the fight
on the main land
[page 3]
Grubbs boys must had a quite
a taste of war they ware
away so long they must to [2]
looked thin when they come
home we had a mooving
yesterday we mooved from
hilton head up to st halena
island we mooved on steem boats
we had three frosts here this
winter I suppose you had
several of them
I was sick about three weaks ago
but I am as strong as ever
I was midling bad for a day
or tow was a litl tutch
of the feavo the yellow feavor
is in Charlestown there has bin
some 200 cases of it there that
is the report weell I must
bring my letter to a close for
I have to go on guard to night
[page 4]
It is a wet night to night
but I have a good gum blanket
to put on
well I have told you all
that at present that I can
think of so good [by?] Ellen
From your brother
your affectionate brother
John Guest
Direct your letter to
Mr John Guest
Co A 97 th Regt PV
Port Royal SC
in care of Col H R Guss
Give my best respects
to all of my friends