Columbus Ohio
Aprile the 20th 1862
Dear father & mother
it is with pleasure that
I avale my Self of the opertunity of writing
you a few lines which will inform you that
I am quite well at present brother Levi [1]
however on my last acount was not to say
well tho not much sick he and all the company
and all the companies of the Redgment
is all at Indianoplas the captial of Indiania
Some of the officers is here & some at Fort warren
when we all arived here we was almost worne
out from exposeure at Fort Doneldson in the
Snowe where we had one of the bloudiest battles
that ever has bin fought we lost 3 Killed
John Walker William Province Hillierd Swinney [2]
Several others wounded sliteley but thankful
am I to Say it pleasede the all wise Ruler for mee
and Livi to pass through unharmed
dear father mother brothers & sisters doo not suffer
any trouble on our acount for I ashure you that
we are well ceared for here plenty to eat and nothing
to doo but to cook and eate and Read I am near
ley through the testament the second time cince
I arived here our bill of fare corn meal flower
chopt homeney coffee Tea Sugar bacon Poark [beef?]
well fed and nice white washed Roomes Stoaves
to cook on its true I am a prisnor of ware but the
northeren people say tha intend to treat us well and
win us back and all live like brothers again
I am very well Satsfide have fine hospittals plenty doctors
doctor Rogers is in my mess doctor Taylor is with the
Redgment the boys of our companey writes to us tha are
enjoying them selves very well
[page 2]
dear parents I would like verry much to See you all
but as holding prisnors of ware is agreeable to the
lawes and usages of all warefare let us be contented
with our lot during this time of troubles let it be cast
where it may hoping the time will come when we will
once moore be enabled to meete in a familey capasity
Green god bless your sole brother [3] kiss george for mee
Rebeckey Charlotta & Jane take good cear of yor selves
and wait on mother well my Resects to the Buchanon
girls of boath famileys also the harris girls [??][??]
also aunt beck the old lady Buchanon write to
Brother Thomas [4] & tell him I am dooing well I last
saw hime at clarksvill Tennessee in charge of
our bagage my trunk was sent from Bowlinggreen
to Nashvill I hope it may be contrived home
I wrote a letter to Jack I doo not noe whether he will
get it or not go and see him and tell him I want
to see his [noese?] worse than I ever did so as my
letter is Rather lengthey I must close I Remain
your affectionate Son till god shall call mee home

Charles A Ray
to his father & mother
Tishimingo county Miss
Mr Fedrel officer pleas send this across the lines
and oblige yours & [???] Ray