Moscow Ten May 15, 63

Dear catharine I have just got a letter from you and
I was glad to get to hear from home and was glad to hear
that you was all well I have but little to write to you
only we have drawed our money a few days a go
John H Johnson & silas connet & James Anderson
has got there furlows made out and sent to Memphis
to get them signed they will start home as soon as they get
there furlows I will send you thirty or thiry five dollars
by John H Johnson when he comes home I will keep
plenty to fetch me home this summer when I get a furlow
I drawed forty eight dollars we have two months and a
half due us now I dont know when we will get paid again
the men appears to be in good heart we hear that Hooker has
been fighting at Richmond but have not got any strait
account how the battle went we did hear that stone man
had taken Richmond but I did not believe it I dont
dont hear but little about grant I dont know what he
is doing at Vicksburg I think he will take the place before
long the opinion is here that the war will end this summer
I hope it will but I have my doubts about it ending
soon the health of the Regt is tolerable good we have
two men in the hospital here one is John L Daniel &
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the other is Alfred Miller I dont think Daniel will live
many days John Miller is well and on duty a gain
Wm yearam is not very well he has taken cold
I am sorry that you have all got the itch I want you all
to get well before I come home for if I have the itch
and boddy lice both to fight it will keep me buisey
we have but few lise in our tent I dont mind them
have never caught more than a half dozen on me yet
I always strip every weak and wash my clothes I was down to
see the Darkies drill to day it is funny to see them there
was a Darkey that has been with our men and thinks that he is
a soldier he was drilling the rest he would hollow to the rest
of the Negroes to halt front right dress why dont you
dress up dare you dumb Nigger you hab lots ob hard fighting
to do yet they are all keen to fight they learn to drill
very fast they are a stout set of fellows
I be leive I have wrote all that I can think of at this time
Wm got a letter to day from Jane I am glad that she dont
for get to write to us this letter will do you both I will
still write to you both every sunday as long as we stay
here O yes I had liked to forgot to tell you that I am
well and hearty I weighed this morning 152 lbs my beard
and hair is beginning to get grey no more at this time
Hugh Gaston Catherine Gaston dont fail to write every weak