Saltillo Junly the 12th 1862
Dear Pa I take
my seat to wright you a few
lines to let you know that I
am well I received your
letter Thursday evening I
was verry glad to hear from
you all I am very sorry to hear
that your hogs hav bin dying
I hope they will not eny more of
them dy you do not know how
bad I want to see you all
and get home so that I can
get something good to eat part
of the time we do not get eny
thing but bred Baked without
salt or lard you know that
is very hard living I stood
[page 2]
the march fine from Tupelo
to Ripley when we got there
had left they sed that
they left in duble quick time
when they herd that we were
Coming we stayed there to or three
days then went to Saltillo
6 miles on the Railroad abobve
Tupelo 35 miles from Ripley
we march it in to days and
a half we left on Saturday
and Sunday we marched 18
miles by twelve o clock
you never [seean?] wearried
so in your life there were
a great many of the men
that fainted on the Road
I had to fall out of Ranks
[page 3]
to keep from geting overhet
you must not let Johhn
Come he cannot stand it
Tell him that he will
be needed after while worse
than he is now Tell him that
he must not get married
before I get back else I let him
have that Puppy Dear ma
I got your letter the same day
that I got Pas you do not
know how glad I was to
to hear from you & how
bad I want to see you I
can not feel satisfied
here I do not know how long
will s[t]ay here not long I
recon I am well I have
[page 4]
nothing more [So?] wright.
your affectionate
son B. F. Gentry