Orange Court house
November the 6 1861
Dear Father and mother
I take my pen in hand
to drop you a few lines to let
you know that I am well at
present and hope when theas few
lines come to hand they may find
you injoying the Same blessing
I am sorry to here that you was
oneasy abou tme I am well and
as fat as ever I was taken the
white swelling but I have got
well a gain I am well pleased getting
plenty to eat and I get my washing
done for nothin I am getting $18.50cts
per month for giveing medacine in
the hauspita l I am glad to here
that you received my picture
Dear friends if you knowed
how well pleased I am I have
plenty of pretty girls to look
at every day I have a warm
fier to sit by and expect to stay
all winter if you want to send
me any thing direct to oange Co
house you can send me a pair
of stockings or any thing of the
kind
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Dear brothers and sisters
I would like to see you
splend mother I received
letter on the 24th was expecting
good news but I received them
not now I must bring
theas few lines to a close
so nothing more at present
dont be on easy a bout me
for i am sound and well
and well pleased
so So fare well
James .B. Painter
James B. Painter to his father and mother

Orange Court House
dec 11th 1861
Dear Father and mother I
take my pen in hand to let
you know that I am well
at present and hope when
theas few lines comes to hand
they may find you enjoying
the same blessing I received
your letter the other day
and I was glad to here that
you all air getting a long
so well you sed that Brother
george had sent me a poke of
chestnuts and a pair socks
they air at the Regiment at
center ville william hamilton
is taking care of them for me
I am still at orange yet
and expect to stay all winter
I am verry well pleased
I get my washing done for
nothing and I get $18.50 per
month you wanted me to
get a furlo and come
home I cant come home for
the doctors wont let me
go to my Regiment to get
[page 2]
my thing from there But
they say I may go to my
Regiment to stay a Bout
three days I would like to
see you all firstrate no chance
for me to see you untill my
time S is out give my love
all the inqireing friends
Mr hamiltons that I will
write to them soon you
wanted to know if I wanted
money or clothes or knot
I believe I dont need nothing
you wanted to know if I
remembered any thing a bout
the wheat and oats that we got
from mr Kesler I do remem
ber something a bout it
now I must bring theas
few lines to a close
so nothing more at
present But I hop to remain
your affectionate son
until death
Fare well James B Painter