Camp Near Richmond Va
January 10th 1865
Dear ma
as cargent Alden [1] is going to start
Home in the morning I will Send a
letter by Him I am in verry good
Health at this time and I hope this will
find you and the Rest of the Famiely all
in the best of Health I have Nothing new to
write at this time only we air Seeing
mity Hard times at this time we cant get
Half Enough to Eate and We have not
bin Paid off in Six months I Cant tell
Why they dont Pay the Troops I no that
We air needing it verry bad, and ma, if
you can Send me Somthing to Eate we
Will bee more than oblyged to you if
you can Send any thing that would do
[???] any food at all I would like to
have it if it is only a mouthful it
would do me aheap of good ma I will
try and come Home Some time this year
if thair is any chance I no that you
want to See me but not half as bad
as I do you all you must not think the
time long if I never come for I tell you
that things looks mity gloomy it is
all that the men can do to Keep from
Derserting but you need not think
that I am going to Dersert I do love
my contry too well to Ever go
to the yanks ma It looks like
we have got to fight 4 yr long longer
[page 2]
Well ma as the Day is Drawing
to aclose I think that I will have to Bring
my letter to aclose ma I do hope you will
Excuse my Bad writing for it is mity
coald and wet, ma I want you to bee Sure
and Send me Some cloths by Lt, Mann [2]
if you can do so for I am in need of
them verry much and if you can
Send me any thing to Eate I would like
verry much you would do So and if you
cant Send it dont Put youre Self to
any trouble about it
Well ma as it is
geting late I will Come to a close
by Saying to you to Remember
me in youre Prayrs
Give my love
to all the Famiely And Receive a
large Portion for your Self
write Soon and often if you
Pleas
Nothing more at Preasent only
I Still Remain youre Son untill Death
John. a. Everett