Smyth Co. Va.
Aprill the 16 th 1863
Deair father it is with graeit pleasure
that I seat my self this Day to inform you
by the way of letter that I am well
at this time truley hopeing thees few lines
may come to hand in dew time and find
you all well and galy I can inform you
that your kind letter of the 11th Came safe
to hand this morning which states that
you reached home on thirsday after you left
heair you wrote that Aris and Ephraim [had]
Eaten polk [1] and hit Cam very nigh Killing
them which I very sory to heair but hope
they will soon get well I dont know
Whither I will get to come home before
we leave heair ore not we expect to
leeve heair before long some say that
we are going to pound gap [2] and some say
that we are going to russell [3] I dont know
whare we will go now I dont Care much
so fare as I ame conserned but I wold like
come home and see by Deairs ones before we
leeve heair I can inform you that I received
a letter from home a day are too after
[page 2]
Left Camp which stated that sary was
verry bad off which I was very sory to
heair but umbley hope that she is well
before now I wold have been glad if
your had write how she was when you
wrote. tell solloman that I think he
had better go and Cut wood some whare
sow he con get to go home wonese and
and a wh[?? ]???] help his family
in distress and tell him iff he Joines
any compay that I had rather he wold
Join the Cavaldry than any other
company so I will close fore the presant
your &c.
Ephraim Hampton
P.S. I sent you A letter buey
Sanderes negro that Came with
the wagon. I Can inform you that
Richard Davis and Chesterfield
Willson is at the horsepitle and
Henry Jackson and Robert Harison
of our Company is dead. Haris is
better the last I heaird