Dec 27th 1862
Dear Wife it is with pleas
ure that I take this op
perunity of informing you
that I am well and I
hope this will find you
and my sweet baby well
I have nothing of important
ce to rite to you
while I am riteing it is
raining
I think that Mr. Brooks
will be at home in a
few days for he is to ware
a barrel three days and not
get any pay and then be
drumed out of service
leut Randoll is cam
capt Randoll now
I think that I that I
will get to come home
about next —
you may look for me
about that time
be shure to look for me
[page 2]
since I commenced this
letter the mail come in
and I got your letter of
the 21st and was glad
to hear the you and Wil
lie was well
you wanted henry and
me to get leut isam
to get a sack of salt
and send it to you
and your mammy
if we can we will do so
you said that levi and
tom said they had a 60
day furlough
it is a lie they had no
sutch a thing for they
will be brough[t] back
and tried for desert
ing it is very cold and
geting late so I must
quit I way 160 pounds
Jess henry and Bill is
well good bye J.A McMurtrey