My Deare Wife Dec 14 1862
As I have a little leasure
this morning I will try & write you a few
lines more I saw Charley last night
the readgement past heare last night on there
way to Kinston Jack & Charley ware boarth [1]
well I heard this morning that the yankeys
have taken Kinston Dump I hope that I
will heare soon if I am to stay heare this winter
& if I am not I will stop at home when I
start to the readgement I would of got some
money from the Captin but it was late in
the night so that I could not go to see him
Charley he came up to see us he did not get
the box that I sent him he told me that
they had drawed ther money & cloathing
[page 2]
W[e] had one death in the hospital this
morning he was frome Georgy o her Grase
he died singing heaven sweet heaven
when shall I get there. Dump you would
laugh to have seen me & Mr. Linsley making
a potatoe pooding for dinner the
Stuard [2] said it was very nice but I
did not relish it much I had a very
hard schill [3] last night but felt beter
othis evening we have a good many ladys
heare at this time who have come to see
ther housmand you must not get out
of heart for I hope that it will not be long
befor we shall meet & enjoy our selves as
we have don before you must write to
me soon give my love to all I remain
your devoted housmand J A Patton