Petersburg va Oct the 11 1862
Dear cosin I recieve
your most assteem letter last night i was
glad to hear from you but sorry to hear
that Alford an James was sick I
Am well at this time but not well
sadisfide and never shal be untwel
the time comes when I can place my
Eyes upon the butiful feturs of all
My dear relatives but I am awful
A fraid that time will never be
For it appears to me that this war
Will never end untwel we are all
Kild tell uncle I got a damder
gal than sally was sutch a one
he never herd of tell him I will
Right him the little anikdote
on her when I right again o cosin
I would give enny thing in
this world if I could se you
And talk with you one time
More give uncle and ant and
All of the family my love and
[page 2]
And best respecks tell uncle
starky to send me one gallon
of brandy by levie hugh and
I will send him fore dollars
Back for it dear cosin I have
No chance to right this mor
ning but I will right you
In short nothing more only
I Remain your
Devoted cosin
Untwel death
Joseph J Cowand

this is a yanky Bone Ring som of
my one manufacture this is A
Present to you for remembrance
sake untwel I return home again
And if I never return you may
Have it for life J Cowand