Fort Clinch Fla
March 15th 1864
Dear Sister your letter of
the 19th came to hand I was
glad to hear from you it
found me well as I hope
these few lines may find
you in the same state of
good helth I was glad of
those postage stamps you
sent me in your letter
We have had verry good
weather there but last night
we had a shower of reign
wich cooled the air considerable
to day I suppose you herd
of that little raid that
we had up the St Marrys
River into Florida after
a lot of lumber while we
ware on our way up there
[page 2]
We captured a gurilla
Captain by the name of
Nat Wild We start
ed from here about 5 O Clock
in the morning got to the
place about 6 in the evening
wich was about 45 miles
we staid up there about
8 days and the day we
left 12 of Co A and 33
of co B wich maid 45 of
crosed over into georgia and
had a little fight with the
Rebbles one of co B was
wounded on the foot was
about all the hurt that was
done on our side the Peaple
up in that part of the
cuntry are almost in a
starving condition they
have not got any thing
hardley to eat
[page 3]
they all appear to be
for the union and they say
they are tired of the war
There is about 330 of
the 97th Reinlisted for three
years more I would a listed
mysleft if I had two years
in but as it is I cannot
on that account I suppose
the they will go home the
first oppertunity
there was three subs
shot at this place 2 of
them was shot on the 9th
of february I did not see
them shot I was at hilton
head with some prisoners
them twos names was
James Wilson and James Tompson
and the other one was got
loose the night before and
got away and he was since
[page 4]
Caught and he was
shot on the 27th wich
stoped his career
I saw Thomas Guest
he told me that what you
told him to tell me but
I think I have bin doing verry
well in that respect
Well I think I have told
you about all I know of
at Present and I will
close By asking you to write
soon give my respects to all
No more at present
But Remain your ever
Affectionate Brother
John Guest
I sent som money home to
Mother in a letter when you
write let me know weather
She got it or not if you can
Thomas Guest has reinlisted