Camp near Port Royal [ink very faded]
April the 9th 1863
Dear Wife I seat my self this
[Beautiful?] morning for the purpos
of writing you afew lines
to let you know that I am
[??] [???] and I am one
of the Best Soldiers
I have [???] in my looks
so that you would not
know me I am So fat
and I am a grate speculater
times is very Still up here I
dont hear know talk of a
fight up here provishions
is very high up here
Tobacco is 5 dollars a pound
and meal is $1 & 25 Cts
a gallon fresh meat
is $1.50 cts Coffee is $5 a pound
and ever thing is high
[page 2]
Dear Wife I hope this
will soon close for
[???] to come home
[???] Bad [???] now
[???] [???] to Be Seen
in Camp I hope before
six weeks [???] a round
that I may be home with you
Someday I make $5.50 cts
and some days more
& some days less you
must kiss Sis for me
but I had rather
be home and Kiss
her my Self give my
love to Mary Stokes and
family and to Caroline
[???] and family So
nothing more at this time
only I remain your true
and affectionate husband
til death write soon John Futch