Beans station East Tenassee Janwary the 25 1863
Dear Brouther & Sister I this morning seat my self to drop
you a few lines which will inform you that I am
Well and hardy hoping my fiew lines may cum
safe to hand and finde you all well I recievd a
Letter from fother a short time since and wrote to
Me that you was in the hospittle and had not spoke
in over 9 dayes I then give up that one of my
Brouthers was gon I have lisend to har of your death
But I recievd a letter this morning stating you was
At home onece moar with your dear wife and little
ones my hart leaped with Joy to no you had once
Mowr returnd home when I look back and think
That thear has bin four and now the 5th one of us
Brouthers in the army and the last account of
Them they was all living thank the lord for it
I have not heard from W. H in some time
Nor from W P Mangum I have not heard from
Him in a long time I would be glad to hear from
Bouth of them I have saw many ups and downs since
I saw you but could not undertake to write them to
you and no doubt you have saw the same
[page 2]
I was detaild to nurse the Sick at this plase
I have bin hear most 5 month I have had agrate
Deal of sickness since I have bin in survis and noing
That I cannot have any health in the camps
Think it best to remain hear though if I could get
off I would be glad to go to my company I would be
glad to sea them though you no how that is though
My fair of late is verry good for soulger fair but I
Have sean sights at this plase and now evry room is
Allmost full of sick men theare has many pour
Soulgers died at thes plase and a good many sick
Now Theare has bin in some hard fiting in this
State but I nevver have bin in narry hard fight
Though in some scrumish fiting I No the
Nois whisling bullets make and bouth shell and
A[n?]d shot I have as mutch of it as a want to see
I hope I will never no mowr of it I am saddisfied
Theare is no fun in it and I hope that fiting is
Allmoust dun in the war although it may Just
Began though I hope not I have recievd late letters
From J B & J F Callett J b is discharged from
The army and they ar Bouth at home and well
it was saddisfaction for me to hear from
them and theor famileys
[page 3]
Brouther I was sorry to hear that our Browther
E P was simple enough to run away from his
Poer old father and mother and go in to this un
holy war I dun all I could to Keep him out of
it but nothing but to go would do him I doo not
No but I think he was purswaded of but John
If he new as mutch about it as we doo dont you think
He would have staid at home but your Boy [noed?]
Nothing about it it greave my hart to think that
our old wornout parents is now left alone without
[eaven?] someone to make fiers for them I think
it would be best for him to get some Boy to
stay with them if they can get one for they
Are not able to do for themselves for I no theare
Condishsiun is a bad one and it greaves me
To think of it but I am wheair I cannot help
Myself I wish I could Brouther I have nothing
Mowr that would interest you so I will close
pleas writ me aletter Just as soon as you get this No mour
But desier your prares and saing may the lord continue
His murses to ward us all and may god hasten the day of peas
In our land is my prar your Brouther till death
Mr John D Callett and fameley B.L Callett
so far well write soon
[page 4]
Dear sister Carline I will write you a few lines but
can ad but little to my letter I am well and harty thank
god for it hoping my letter will find you and mother
Mangum well sister Today I simpathise with you I recievd
A letter this morning and found out that you had lost your
little babe I was sorry to hear it [???] how you fell I
think you feel like you was forever lost I am sorry for
you god noes I am but will all doo ma go[o]d gods will be dun
We have to take it all and my advise to you is to bare
With it the best you can but of how bad william will
Feel when he hears it how his babe is gon but
Thank be to god we have one consolation she is
today in heaven we have no doubt of it gone from
A world of trouble to an everlasting world of peas
I wrote you a letter sometime back did you git it
I want to hear from William doo you no Whear
He is if you doo write it to me for I want to hear
From him give my respects to all I want you to
write Back your letters this way B L Catlett
Beanes Station hospittle Tennasee in cear of
Dr gaines [????] Mrs L C Catlett [Mangrum]