Rock ilant ilnoise January 1864
Deare wife I imbrase the present oppertunity of riting you
you a few lins to let you no where I am and how I am I
have bin vary sick it is twenty days since I was taken down
but thank God I am improving slowle and hope I will get
well tho I am not able to walk yet my Deare I hope this
will find you and all the famly well I got to my Command
on the 23 of November and was taken prisonor next morn
ing I have bin taken good Care of Ever Cince I go to this
[place?] I am in the hospitle or ward nomber 4 I whould

have riten to you before this time but I have not bin
able I am not able to rite at this time but for your sa
ke I and take my Peane you must do the best for you self and
famly you Can I no not when I will have the chance
to go home I want you to rite to me as soon as you heare
from me you must not rite but one page we are alowed to
but one page at a time and to rite nowthing only our private
a faires I want you to rite and let me no how you are geting
a long and wither you get Eny healpe or not let me no if you
saved your [well?] or not you must try have Meriah make a
Crop of Corn or hiere her out and I acspect after winter is
ovr if can do so you had better hire her owt unless
Uriah gets to stay at home in case he stays at let him
have controle of her in the feild let her com home
at night and day in the week to wash for you my Deare
Children a few words to you be good children obay you Mo
ther and be kind to Each outher be kind to you little Co
usins that is with you Sister Eliza I have not forgoten you
you must rite to me I want to no how Frank foot has got
Direct your leters to Rock ilant ilnoise Joseph Hughs 30 Miss
Regment Company H my Dear you must accuse this letter
and no when I get able I will do better nouthing more at pres
ent but remane you affectnate Husband untill death J Hughs