[this Mary Bradshaw was the newly-wed wife of Jonas’s brother, John]

Weldon N C
March 16th 1862 Camp Floyd
Dear Wife
it is with pleasure that I
seat my self to drop you a few
lines to let you know that I am
well at presant and I trust to
God that these few lines may find
you well and injoying the blessings
of god may god bless my little Peanutt
Lodema Jane fur I never expect to see it
a gain onley through the kind proverdence
of kine heavin my God bless you all
and save you all in heavin is the prayr
of your onworthy Husban Dear Wife you
dont know how I felt when I saw
John S. Bradshaw come out of the care
with out you with him but it is
all fur the best I recond but we
dont fear the yankees if tha have took
nuber [1] we can out run them I was surgent
of the gard last knight at the brig
and the gard heard a gun fire near
a bout them and tha cauld me to
them and said tha thaut tha saw
some person down the rive a bout
three Hundred yards tha wanted to
shoot but I orded them not to shoot
but fur them to stand in rediness
and watch fur them untill I
could slip a round to them and see
what it ment I called to see who
would volinteer to go with me and
I got all of our gard John
was the first man to volunteer
[page 2]
then tha all but a few left
to watch went with me and we
went and watch but we could not
find eny person after serching fur
them and could not see eny thing we
returned back in good order and
retired to our beds and slept until
gard mounting a gain and was not
troubeld eny more we are looking
fur the yankees everday at this
place I cant tell you eny thing a bout
the fite at Nubern onley that whiped
our forces out and taking the place
I must bring my letter to a close
by saying Write to me and let me
hear from you Nancy here is some money
get what ever you want I am
glad you have got some companey
and I want to know which
one of you is a goin to be [????]
one must man W[???] J N Brad[?]
a few lines to Mrs Mary.M.Bradshaw [2]
Dear Sistor I was vary much astonished
when I heard from you I waush you
much Joy two gals and a boy I
would be glad to see you now I hope
that tha time will hast when Husban
and Wives will great each other with
a holey kiss Mary I want you to
stay with Nancy.J.Bradshaw and live
lik sistors and pray fur your Husban
and friends that is trying to
defend thare homes and if you pleas
send me a peace of your weding cake
fare well sisor Write to us soon
J. N. Bradshaw