chattanoog Tenn July the 13 /62
Dear Cousin I Seat myself this morning to
drop you a few lines to inform you that I am
well and doing well at this time and hoping
when these few lines comes to hand they may
find you all enjoying the Same blessings
I have know news of interest to write you
only we are about forty miles of the enemy there
was ten thousand yankees crossed the river yesterday
that is the report but I do not know how true
it is and we are looking to be called off to
fight every day but I do not know whether it
will come or not .
we have moved ten miles from chattanooga rite in
among the mountain & we get plenty to eat
Such as it is we get flour bacon and rice such
thing as corn bread we never See and
we do not get any Soap to wash our clothes and
none to wash our hands and if we hire our washing
we have to pay ten cents a garment . chickens
about the sise of a patridge sells for from 30
to forty cents apeice . I have eat flour bredd untill
I have got plum out with it . I Should like the
best in the world to be at home where I could
gt some fruit to eat for there is none here to
get
thomas there is about one half of our company sick
and in the hospital and at home to gather and we
have lost two men out of our company bill
Wallas and a fellow by the nam Jordan
I Suppose John has been in another
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big fight at richmond and went through Safe
I have got one letter from him since I have been
in service about a week before the fight tom I
have nothing else of importanc write you only I will
let you know where to direct too Direct them to
chatanooga Tenn in the care of Capt .B. T.
Spearman 55 regiment Ga vol Col E P. watkins
commander I must come to a close by Saying I
remain your sinceres friend untill death

J. B. Strong