[patriotic illustration at top of page]

Louisville Kentucky 57^th Reg
Camp Hardin Dec 25^th 1861

Dear Parrents

i take my
pencil in hand this
morning to inform you of
my welfare i am in
tolerable good health at
this time and i hope those lines
may reach and find you enjoying
the same gods blessing we are
now in the land of rebellion we left
Indianapolis on the evening of the
23 of the capricious month and
arrived safe in old Kentucky on
the 24^th about noon we had a verry
fine time of it while we was
in the cars and on the Boat but
it wasent quite so interesting
when we had to walk and carry
[page 2]
our equipments we
traveled on the cars
to Jeffersonville then
we walked about
one mile then we came
to the river we then
crossed over into Kentucky
we got to see several
boats while we was waiting
for ours to get ready for us
our camp is situated
about one mile as nigh as i
can guess from the main street
of Louisville they is over 1200
union troops within 4 miles of us
they is 3 or 4 Regiments in sight
of us we have taken possession of
General Buckner’s premises
for our encampments he is on ahead
of us with 40,000 rebble troops
[page 3]
we can see his house from
our camp i would like verry
well to see you all again but
i dont know when that day will
come but i hope ere long the
traitors may see the error of their
<?> way and return to the union
then and not till then
we can again be a happy
people tell the children
to go to school regularly and
be obedient to their teacher and try
to improve while they may fore
we know not how soon they may
be deprived of the opportunity
for little did i think this time last
winter that i would be in the
battle field tho ”but we know not
what a day may bring forth”
i will close for i must go
[page 4]
on guard so farewell for the
present i want you to write often
and let me hear how you are getting
along so no more but
still remain your most

Affectionate Son
G. W. Jarrette
<For?> W^m H. Johnson and Family

Direct to G. W. Jarrette
Louisville Kentucky 57 Indiana volunteers
Camp Hardin Company E Care
Capt dunn

i suppose you have heard of our
new Captain
i collected that money that was
coming to me i also received that
money Levi sent me but i think i
will have enough to do me without
it Please write often