Scottsboro Ala Apr 20 [1864]

Hugh I received A lette
from you A few days ago dated
the 12^th I was glad to hear you
was well it found me well
and all the boys. I have
nothing to write there has
nothing turned up since
you left worth writeing
old col cockeral has gone
home he made us A farewell
Speech before he went
I dont See any Sign
of us leaving here
we got orders not long ago
to prepare for an active
field campaign we have
to drill four hours A day
one half hour at revalee
before breakfast they Still
keep up the camp guard
an no one can get out with
[page 2]
Out A pass if they go to
town without A pass old
harrow puts them astride
of A pole called the potomac
horse
well hugh I have nothing
to write you Said you
did not know when you
would have to come back
I hope how long you
will get to Stay for I
expect you are doing better
than we are although we
we are doing very well
the weather is very cold
here for this Season of the
year Some of the timber is
getting green I hear
the old cituzens is
fixing for putting in their
crops I have not bin
out Side the pickets
I Sent twenty dollars by
[page 3]
cook you can get ten
dollars from father
and get me A watch
as good one as you can

I will quit writeing
for this time

J H Gaston
Hugh gaston