Camp 97th
Coal Harbour Va
June 9 th 1864
Dear Sister I take the
Present oppertunity of
writing you a fiew lines
to let you know that I
am well as usual and
I hope this letter may
find you in the same
state of good helth
I seen Brother William
to day him and me took
dinner together today our
dinner Consisted of hard tack
fresh beef salt pork and
coffee he looks about as
well as he always looked
at home that writing paper
and envalops Came about
three days ago and I gave
William half of them
[page 2]
your first
letter Came to hand while
I was at bermuda and
I aswered it wich I suppose
you got before this
we are a laying on the
frunt every other day
we Came frunt last night
and expect to go back
to night there has bin no
fighting of any Consequence
at this place for a fiew
days back the band goes
out to the frunt rifle
pits every night they
play the Rebbles a fiew
tunes and they play them
dixey land and when
they strike on dixey the
Rebbles gives three Cheers
Well I must
bring my letter to a
[page 3]
Close no more
At present but Remain
your affectionate Brother
John Guest
give my respects to annie
and all the rest
Excuse this short
letter