Camp Clark June 12th 1861
Mrs L L Clark
Dear aunt
It has been
Sometime since I wrote to you though
as usual I have nothing that would
interest you though I hope you will
excuse me this time for I fell very
unwell this morning as to war news
you hear more than we do here in
Camps we have not as yet recieved
marching orders but may soon our
regiment has been formed once but
the Lexington Company broke up & went
home the other day. there was another
company came in yesterday to supply
their place and as soon as they are
mustered in Service why then we will
leave. I hope that we will go to harpers
ferry. I am very well pleas in camps
excepting standing guard & sleeping on the ground
which has given me a very bad cold
[page 2]
I Stood guard twenty four hours
since I have been hereand it is hard
sure We seep our yeards every day
One soldier of this regiment died the other
day from cold The soldiers are all very
wicked so it is hard for a person
to refrain from wickedness though I
shall try and refrain myself from such
We will Soon have our regiment filled
again we all so have our arms & ready
awaiting a fight anxious for it. To show
the ho[r]des of the north that we still have
power if we get killed in the cause
it will be a glorious one and to trust
in one who looks on us at all times
there is so much confusion that I can
hardly Study or write. Aunt Lou it was
hard dor me to part from you and
to think perhaps I was biding you an
adieu for the last time but cheered
myself with the hopes that if we did
not meet again on earth that we
would meet in heaven where parting
is no more and where loved ones od both
[page 3]
have gone you may think from this
that I am becoming uneassy but it is
a thing that aught to be studdied well
the idea of dying on the battle field
unprepared is awful Some seems to think
that if they get killed while our it will
be in a good cause and that they will be
Saved without any effort on there part
but I think different. I hope that Father
and mother does not take my leaving
hard. I must close pray for me
that I may live aright
your devoted nephew
J W Clark

P S give my regards to cousin Hattie
and the rest of the youn ladies. you
must try and sonsole the dear parents
as much as possilbe. aunt how I cant
say half I want to say to you I love
you so well Imust quit
yours respectfully
J W Clark
[page 4]
P S
we have just received orders to Start
to virginia we will Start next
Saturday tell cousin
Thom So he can come up
dont let ma know it