Greenville March 16
My Deare Wife
I received Sisters
Anns letter & was glad to heare
frome you all & more than glad
to heare that you was geting better
we have been on a long march to
Newborn [1] we had a fight there last
Satterday. I was under the fier of
the cannon from eight oclock
in the morning untill fore in the
eavning but did not get hurt
at all we had seven killed &
17 wonded in our briggade but
none in our readgement the yankeys
loss was 200 killed we have had
a hard time since we left
Goldsburow we had been out
on this march for nine days
we had to march three nights
in the time & but two cracker
per day to eat but we are
doing better now we have
[page 2]
have taken up camp at this
to wate untill our briggade
can all get to gather then we
will starte back to Goldsburo
Dump I think if I could see
you now I could tell you some
news I know that I could tell you
somthing a bout the bursting &
rouring of cannon balls Dump I
am glad to heare a bout that money
that is in the clirks ofes for me
I want you to send & draw it
Just as soon as you can I want
you to use it just as you may kneed
it but take as good care of it as you
can I want you to pay Buck for that
Brandy & write me as soon as you
get this & lette me know if you got the
money that I sent you I sent 10 Dollars
in a letter & 22 Dollars by Mr Brook
banke them two one Dollars bills
I want you to keep it for Seaf
[page 3]
I receaved a letter last night
frome your Sister Ann she said
that family was all well
she said that she wast coming up
in a few days to see you tell
her I will write to her in a few
days. I want you to have me two
chex shirts wove just as soon
as you can you must send by
some one to Raleigh & get your
white cloth I cant get any down
heare I think if we could of
taken Newbern I could of got
a plenty for nothing but the
ya yankeys was too hard for
ous Dump Jacks tell Papa
that he wants him to make
some inquire if thers is any money
coming frome the estate for
his deaughter I will come
home just as soon as I can wich
I hope will not be long
[page 4]
Dump write to me just as
soon as you get this & direct your
letter to Greenville N C
you must not get uneasy a
bout me for I hope it will
not be long before I can come home
I want you to keep a little
brandy on hand to make bitters
I will write to Mr Hight in
a few days a bout your bead
I think if I do not feele any
better by morning I shall go to
the Hospitel I am not to say
sick but my feet are so sore
that I cannot walk
give my love to all & a double
portion for your self I wish
you would see Mr Hight a bout
the schance of geting me a subtistute
I think I can come home soon
I remain your devoted
housband J. A. Patton