Oct 5th 1864
Camp homes [1] near raleigh
My dear I take the oportunity
to inform you that I am at
camp homes near raleigh and
I am well at present and
I hope these few lines may find
you and all the children all well
and I am as well conte
nted as the nature of the case
will per mit I am better
contented then I thaut I could
ever be from home I will give
you a small history of my
travels to this place we past
tarburogh on friday night and
got to gold borough about [?]
oclock that night and [???]
had to lay over until that
night at oclock and left
for raleigh and got
thare about [?] oclock and
[page 2]
went up to the cort house
and slept untel Sunday
morning and then we went
up to the state house and took
a good vew of it and after
break fast we went out to
camp homes about three miles
and it is a verry pretty
place and I would of written
you before but we expected
we should be send off some
where else soon and I would
rite then but we dont no when
we shal be sent off nor whear
we will go but I will rite
again when I leave hear and
let you now where we are
going if I can find out I shal
go into the cavalry if I can
and if I do I shal come home
to get a horse but if not
I cant tel when to tel you
[page 3]
to look for me I may be
con signed to light duty
we think something about
going to the navy at
charleston thare is
is nothing new at present of
importance at present the
carsa is a site I would give
ten dollars that you could
all see the sight it is
pretty riding and I
dont feal card [2] on them
you must not greav
your self over it no
more then you can help
for it consoules me
to think the lord will
be withe me and he will
be with you to and you
must carry on the best
[page 4]
you can untel I come
home we have a
rite smart croud
here some two hundrd
I must come to a
close for it is two
dark to rite George
Allen is well and
I heard from Cleophus B
Latham [????????] [page torn]
[??] from point lookout
and they say he is fat
and harty I am just of
a guard I have stood
guard four hours to
night this tuesday
morning I must close
by saying I remain
your affectionate husban
H. H. Bowen