62
Aug the 24
Camp Rienzi Miss

Dear cousin
I take my seat this beautiful
Sabbath morning to write you
A few lines to let you know
I am well and hope you are
all well I am would be vrry
Happy to See all my relatives
and Espetially you and the rest
of uncles family I will see some
of them if god spaers me to get
Out of this infernal rebellion if
I never get out I will fall in
a good and glorious cause one
Thet we will never be a shamed
Of We have plenty eat and not
Much to dou now I expect to have
To help do some fiting this winter
It is rumored through camp that the
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36^th is going to Richmond soon
I cant say we are although the new
Troops will hold the forts while
Those hes been in the field can do
the fiting I am anxious to see the
War come to a close so I can get
Home there hes been a sad change
Since I was home last
. William and my self
Joseph is in the <?>7^th Illinois Regt
I am in the 36^th Illinois Regt I do
Not know what Regt William
is in. Lockard Peal he is in [Lockard Peale, 83^rd Ill]
the 83^rd Illinois Regt I was the
First one that enlisted and we
All got in differant Regts
I am a private I could had an office
But I did not want it or I would
Not have it I joined the army as
A fiting man I an no office seaker
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If there was fewer of them
it would be better for the union
There is to many after big pay all
such men had better be home
Jane what does the young ladies do in
your part of the country since all the
Boys hes enlisted There is considerable
Complaint in Illinois about the
Boys leaving I tell my gall If She
Cant wait till I get back to pitch
In ther is as good fish in the sea
as ever was caught out I expect I will
Be left to dance in the hog troft
If I do I will stamp the bottom
Through So it will not do to dance in
Any more Jane I have heard you
are good looking I wuld be very glad
To receive your minature if you
Would grant me the favor if you
Send it get it taken en malin<eaty?>
end fit it in a litter with out any
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Case Pelease tell aunt Rachel
and Leah I am well and will
Write to them Soon I believe
I will not ware your patience
Any further give my love to
uncle and all the rest of the
Family Jane I will send
you a ten cent bill of the
Confederate money such as they
Have
Please write soon to your
Cousin Jim
So good By
yours Truly
Miss Jane Steel
J. H. Smith

Direct to Rienzi Miss 36^th
Regt Illinois vol Co C