Caustons Bluff May the 13th /62

Dear sister I at last
seat my self to write you
a few lines that will in
form you that I am well
and hope these lines will find
you enjoying the same blessing
I would have riten to you
before now but we have had
to work verry hard since we
have been here it seems when
I go to write I cant think of
any thing to write that is worth
writing. we have had a few
scurmishes here we taken fifteen
prisoners day before yesterday a captain
4 lieuts an teen privates we have taken
eighteen before we have to go
a scouting evry other day now a
bout three hundred of us though
some of them thinks we will have
to go to Richmond ve> son we cant
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tell yet whether we
will or not as for my part
I am satisfied of that cuntry
my self espetially the mountains
we had to go two or three days
with out any thing to eat an
but little at that and wade
mud from shoe mouth deep to needeep
all day and sleep in it at night
and in the snow without any
tents you may no how got a
long up there I received your
letter when I was up there letters
never could get home and
I quit writing at al we got in
a little fight up ther our company
didnt get near enough for them to
shoot at us wi[t]h their long range
guns all the time but never hurt
none of our company we only got
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one man killed and two wouded
fighting three hours and a half when
we left there we stayed long at
a place till we got to savannah
well I must close excuse these lines
and I try to do better next time
nothing more at present I remain
your affectionate Brother John W Hodnett

Ps I am Looking for Brother Jef [1]
Benny an sam [2] here now please write
soon Direct your letter to the
13th regiment ga volunteers
company (k) care of capt Long