Fort Bee near Smithfield
Dec the 9 th va [1861]
Dear father & Mother as Mr
Brittian is going home I will
Drop you a few lines to let
you know that we are bouth
well I have nothing to write
that would interest you we
received a leter a few days since
by Mr Stevens which afforded
us great pleasure to hear from
you all and that you was all
geting along so well we are
very comfortable situated in our
cabins I hope we will gett to stay
here til our time expires the
health of the company is very
good also the health of the
regiment is much better than
it was some time back if the
lincolnites should come I think
we will be able to give them
a fare showing I think there
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is but little danger we are
still working on our bateries
near here we expect to go to
shilling in a few days tell
Robert & Rebeckea I thank them
for them chesnuts they sent me
and would like to have more
I will bring my short letter
to a close for the want of
something to write direct
your leter to the fourtenth
regiment in stead of the
fourth it has been changed
so nothing more I remain your
son
J. E. Patton