August 16 1861

Dear father and mother
I drop you a few lines
to let you know that I
am well and I hope theas
few lines will find you
injoying the same bless+
+ing I landed in richmond
on wednesday evening
we air fairing verry well
we get beef & bacon & rice
sugar & coffee I like the
camp life fine thare
air 30000 troops here now
I seen more cannons
than you could shake a
stick at I seen goats by
the whole sale our capt
is going to get us all the
things that we need
I dont know how long
we will stay here thare
[page 2]
Throw ing breast works
up all around richmond
but I am not a helping
tha have got 1000 negros
at it I have seen the
very yankeys prisners I will
have my likeness taken
and send it out by
col sperry you know more
about when tha are a fight
ing than I do we her no
news some of our company
air a little sick but non
air in the hauspitle we
have not got our arms
we dont drill much
we have a regiment of
frenchmen we may form
regiment here at richmon
dear father I hope you
air getting a long fine
with the old guns capt
Breckinridge will send
[page 3]
me home when I get
sick dear mother
I read my bible twice
a day dear father If
on earth no more I
see prepair to meat me
In heaven dear brother
prepair to meat me in
heaven give my best
respects to all my
inquireing friends
now I must bring
theas few lines to a close
write to me soon
direct you letter
to camp ofinsruc +
tion in care of capt
Breckenridge richmond Va
I hope to remain
yours dear father
and mother untill
deat
[page 4]
tell Mr hamilton
James and are well

James B Painter
tell my girl
howdy for me

ha ha ha [1]