Camp Near Kingston NC
Feb the 15 1863
Dear cosin I take the lesure moments
of answering your kind letter whitch
came to hand a few days ago I would
of Ben glad to of answerd it Before
Now But we received orders to march
the next day after I got it Dear cosin
I will tell you that we had the
Hardis time you ever saw we
march fore days in the snow and
Rain and lay out every night
in it it was the hardist time
I ever saw in my life I lay one
night in the snow 7 inches deep
in a old field and the next night
I lay on a peace of sop in the
Water whair it was three or fore
inches deep I will stop Right you
A Bout it for I hope I shal com
home Before long and tell you
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all about it I think I shal com
home March cort for the
captain has prommas to give
me a furlow o cousin I would
Be so glad to se you I donte
Know what I shold do
I am sure if I could se your
Sweete smiles a gain I would Be
The Hapiest man that ever lived
I got your funey letter last night
you sent to Peters burg and a
peace of your hair in it and it
was vary funey indeed it give
me grate plesure to Reede it and I
Am sure if I could Se you it would
give me more give my love to all
of the family and tell them I want
to se them vary Bad indeed and
I think I will se them Before
Menny weeks I have no news
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to Right to you only I am well
At this time hoping that theas
few lines may find you and
all of the family well nothing
more yours truly from a cosin
J.J Cowand
to Winaford A Cowand