November 1 1862
My Deare Wife
I received your
welcom letter & was glad to heare
frome you but was sorry to
heare that you had such a bad
cole Dump you know whare we
was station when you left we
are now station for miles this
side of Petersburgh I dont exspect
that we will s[t]ay heare long
for we are under marching
orders to Weldon I would not
be supprised if are at Weldon
in a few days the Maj says
that he dos not intend to stay
heare for there is koneed [1] for ous
in our ownd State you kneed
not apprehend any danger of
our going to South Carolina
[page 2]
Dump if we should stay
at this place all this
winter it will suit me very
well for I can get board for
you a bout half mile frome
the campe they are qite respect
able people & if we come to
Weldon I will bard [2] you there
you wrote me that Mr Hight
did not lett you have any
money I am supprised at
that for he toled me [when?]
[I?] left me that he would lett
me have ten Dollars & pay
you the balance on what
I payed him but if has not
paid any as yet lett me know
I will borer some & send
it to you I cant send pas
yet for I do not know
[page 3]
Whither we will stay heare
this winter or not
Dump I have an eyde of ging
to Richmond next week to
see uncle a bout geting
a subbstiu [3] I under stand
that they will be got for 500
Dollars you know there is
nothing trying I will give
all that I have got in this
wourld for one bef[??] I will
say is ware I must stop
for the present as I have
to go out to work
throwing up brest works
Deare Wife as I have just got
in from work I will try &
finish my letter we were
musterd in to service a gain
this morning to to draw som
more money they say we will
git 22 Dollars monday
[page 4]
Dump I hate to send for you to
come out heare untill I find
out whither we will take
up winter quarters or not
at this place just as soon
as I find out I will send
for you & Seaf to come
I am going to write to Mr
Hight tomorrow a bout
that money that he promist
to lett you have & I shall
also write Maj Collins about
what he ows me & get
to pay it to you in some
way or other Dump Jacks
says that you must not
be so fulish [4] about my
abscence for you know that I had
rather be with you than
any where els in this wourld
give my love to all & receiv a
portion for your self J A Patton