camp of instruction
Richmond
Aug 22 1861 Va
Dear father and mother
I take my pen in hand
to let you know that
I am well and hope
when theas few lines
come to hand they may
find you injoying the same
blessing I like the camp
life fine we air fareing very
we get lite bread & bacon &
rice & dride apples coffee beef sugar
thare air some of our boys
in the hauspittle but tha
air all getting better
father we have not got our
arms we dont know
when we will leave
richmond father you
know more a bout the
news then I do
dont read any more on this side
[page 2]
father & mothe I have
seen more since I have
been In richmond then
you could shake a stick
at we have prayer meating
every night & preaching
every sundy I have seen
the verry yankeys we
have about 3000 priseners
we got caps to wear James
hamilto sent word that
we was hard looking
cases you would laugh
to see me rubbing the
shirttails you or to
see me making up bread
throwing the do from
east to west mother
i had my likeness
taken i will send it
to you the first
+get it
chance you can + it at
amsterdam ) [halt?]
[page 3]
father I would like to have
a bout 3 dollars if you
can get it if you do send
me any be care full to
direct your letter to camp
of instucktion richmond
Va in care of P G Bre—
ckinridge we dont
drill much I have stood
guard wonce we stand
2 hours and rest four and
then next day we can go
to town we see the
verry gals in richmond
while i am writing the
boys air getting supper
some baking pyse
som air eatting and
so on tell the girls
to write to me tell
tell susy write to
me we air all in fine
spirits amen amen
[page 4]
we have a Jolly
old time tell all th
childron howdy for
me I here cannons
fireing every day it is
our artillery a practice
ing the air thr+
+owing breast works
all around richmond
you mus excuse
my bad writing and
spelling nothing
at preasent mossy
John hammer away
at the old guns
write to me soon
so I will know
that you get my
letters yours untill death
so good By
James B Painter
if you send me some money
send it soon [nem?] leave
son