Entrench Camp Norfolk Va
April the 22ed 1862
Dear mother and sisters I receive
your letters ove the 16th & 17th this
mor ning I was glad to here from you
I am wel thoug I am not quite wel of
the mumps I have nothing to do
I am getting fat a lying about here
I havent bin to see William yet
I herd from him las sunday he is
most wel he could walk about
some of the boys has gon to the
hospital to day I may here from
him before I seal my letter its
nowthing to here of two or three
dying here every day the meassles
kills them more than any thig els
I expect men gose away from here
and tels it wirse then it tis
we git plenty to eat now we get
sugar and coffe bacon sometimes
lite bread corn meal & flower &
crackers Samuel Clingenfeel
cooks for our mess we ar wel
pleased with him you wanted to
know If we wanted any money
I dont know how mutch William
has I am not ever stock with it
if you cold send about five
dollars you may do so if you
can send it by any body dont
send it by mail we dont expect
to s[t]ay here mutch longer we dont
no when we wil leave nor whear
we wil go two some says we wil
go further back to wards home
[page 2]
there has a good many volunteered
out ove our company and several
was exempt I think if P[??]s
is the man thats to get us off
we will stay here until the
wor ends I would like to
get away verry wel I like to
no whether J. Jamerson has
got wel ove the hippo yet
I think I have roat all that
is nessary this time you can
writ as soon as you get this
give my best respects to all
equiering frinds
so nothing more at presant but
remain as ever
John C Hartsel