Fort Clinch Fla
March 6 th 1864
Dear Mother I take the
present oppertunity of
informing you that I am
well at present and I hope
these lines may find you the
same we have fine weather
here at present we have one
expadition up into florida
we started on the 13th of feb
we had a big days march of
about forty miles we started
about an our before day
and landed about sun down
we captured 250.000 feet of
good lumber and on our
way there we captured a
guruilla Captain I was up
to hilton head with some
prisoners and while I was
[page 2]
Away there was two
deserters shot at this place
ones name was James Tompson
and the others name was
James Wilson this hapened on
the 9th of february there was
three men to be shot but the
third one cut his chain and
got away but he was since
caught and shot on the
27th in front of the whole
Regiment
I hear that Chester
County has filled up its quota
without drafting any I also
hear that brother William
Guest has also listed I received
a letter from Ellen yesterday
I have ten dollars that you
will find enclosed in this
letter well I must bring my
letter to a close [hoping?] I
hear from you soon
[page 3]
No more at present
but remain your affectionate
son
John Guest
to his Mother