Buford SCJan the 17 1865
Well Catharine
we have got to this place we have
been here three days we are waiting
for our waggons and teams to be
sent overI think they will be here
to daythe sea was calm when we
was on it we was 8 hours comeing
10 milesit made some of the men
very sick but it did not hurt me
this is a nice place hereit is
surrounded with waterthe land
is 7 miles one way and 15 the
other it has been held by colored
troops for some timethey are good
looking soldierswe are a bout 40
miles from Charlestonthe 17^th
Corps is in twenty miles of
Charleston they had a little fight
a few days a go they drove the Rebs
and taken there fort & guns
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our Corps is a bout ready to go
and help them take Charlston after
is takenI guess we will go to
Richmond and end the war thare
for I think the south is a bout
Plaidoutwe have not had any
mail from home for a long time
but I think we will get letters
befor longthe last letter I had was
dated the 8 of DecI have wrote every
weak but I dont know whether you get
them or notI did think we would
mail regularwe get plenty to eat
now and that is the mane thing for
a soldierwe have butiful weather
here we had a light frost last
night but to day is pleasant and
clearhere comes the mail and
I stand and wait to see <??> I get[stain]
a letterBully here is one for
me dated the <?> of Jan with a
peice of Candy and some of your
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flannel in itthe Candy was
sweat and flannel is niceI sent
you a new years gift in the shape
of a ten dollar billI guess you
have got it before nowtell Hen
I have not forgot himif I dont
write to him he knows all about
the camp lifetell him that
Ezekiel has not been stout for a
long timehe talks a great deal a
bout Hennytell him I have got
his watch yetI have looked at it
it is just half past elevenI
have the <key?> <????> yet I can begin
to blow some Peices tolerable well
if I learn I will not have to
cary a gun any more and this is
not as hard as it is to carry a gun
I will quit and mail this

Hugh GastonCatharine Gaston