Camp Near Port, Royal Va
April the 20 1863
Dear Wife I Recvd your kind Letter the 18th of
this inst Stating you was All well which
found me well hoping theas few lines
may come Safe to hand and find you
All well and Doing well Marthy you
Spoke of coming to Se me but I think it is
best not to come for we will have to
Leave hear we are Expecting to have to
Leave hear Every Day Marthy I want to
See you Vary bad but I think it is best
for you Not to come hear for we Dont
Now how Soon we may have to Leave hear
Marthy you had better wait for their is
A talk if our going Back to NC & if
we Do you can come then &C their is
Canonading to Day A bove Fredricks Burg
Every time we go on picket we can talk
to the yankes &C you wanted to Now if I
wanted any close or Socks you wold Send
me some I have got A plenty of them
[page 2]
I Was Sory to Hear that Some
Body had Broke open Sisters crib and
Stolen her corn the man Dun that had
Aught to have to go in Servis & Stay
their as Long as the war Last A Damd
old Raskel you aught to take your gun
and go their & Shoot him for he has All
ways bin Doing them tricks &C you Rote
Something About Them girls Scaring A Sick
man I think they had better bin Doing
Something elce &C I Wold Like to be
at home to be at Wm Funeral but I
Dont Expects to have the chance of being
their &C tell Mother I Will rite to
her the Next Time I Rite So I will
come to A close by Saying I Remane
your Loving Husband untel Death

John Hutch ,to, Marthy, A Futch

Rote By John A Ennes From Harnett Count