1863
Suffolk Va May th 10
Dear Wife
I thought I would rite
you a few lines to let
you know that I am
well and hope these few
lines will find you
the same we are a
tareing down the rebles
fortifications we have drove
the rebles clear out sight
I dont think that we
will have a nother brush
hear but they say that
Joe hooker is raisen hell
with them he has taken
20000 men and 100 guns
I think that if he done
have good luck we shuld
all be home in six months
[page 2]
but if he dont have
good luck we shall
have to stay our time
out it is very pleasent
down hear now we are
taken in prisoners every
day they taken 600 of the
rebles every day to washington
so it must soon run
them out well I supose
that you are a enjoying
yourself up thare now
the folks are a sowing thare
grain and platting thare
corn but we dont do
eny such things down hear
we drill every day and
I have got sick of it
I am a going to send
you some versses to you
that was made up from
our battle that we had
[page 3]
it will tell you how
we drove the rebles
nothing but the 152 regt
we are bold fellows dont
you think we are well
I gess we smelt a little
gun powder that day and
some lead pills you must
set down and rite often
every letter dose me good
to hear from you when
you rite you will get
one back rite to the
same place I send
my best wishes to you
all and the the same
to the children I want
you to rite and let me
know how Oliver king get
along and how the folks
are and what they
think about this war
[page 4]
the boys are
all well that
come from Morris
and they send
thare wishes to
you all
pleas rite as soon
as you get this
From you husband
Chance kelsey