[Cornelius Alexander, Cyrenius Alexander, Robert W. McDowell, Samuel S. Caldwell, James B. Russell, and John D. Morrison were all soldiers in Co. C, 10th NC Heavy Artillery. There were two soldiers named Price in Co. C, Isaac J. Price wrote the previous letter. The names “greer” and “farr” can’t be located in the roles for the 10th Battalion.]

Oct the 17 1863
I take the present opertunity of
Writing you a fu lines to let you
know that I am well and I do hope those
fu lines ma find you engoying the Same
blesing of almity God my helth has bin very
good So far bu[t] our men is all Sick but
my Self and [t]hree others Corne Alexander Syrenus
Alexander and Mcdowl S Caldwell Sick Jim Rusel
and greer and farr and D Morison and price is
gone home on furlo 14 Days .I. told him to drop
you a fu lines at Harrisburg to let you know
when he came back to Harris burg, So if you
[page 2]
So if you wanted to Send me any thing
So yu cood send it with him that Boy hant came
back yet and .I. dont know whethe he will or [1]
So if can find out when price cmes back he
l bring any thing you want to Send to me
I. ant Sffering for any thing only wrest
I. have bin on post all the time night and day
I. am now on post in Wilnongton 2 m[??]
from camp our men is all Sick that is th[?]
resen I have So much duty to do
Sum times I am 4 or 5 miles from camp on the r[?]
I. Stan 2 hours an rest 4 then on agin & So on day [??]
night wet and dry cold an hot Hard life
[page 3]
Mag I will tel you Sumthing about our fair doun
it is ruff Scillit cake cold at that verry often
burnt on the outside an raw in the midle fat
middlin Sum times beef and pickeld pork that not
good you cant by any thing the prices is So hi
eat is 6 dollars a bushel flour is fifty cts a pound [2]
Baken 3 collars pr pound Beef one fifty chickens
[?] dolars pr head Butter 3 dollars pr pound
sweet potatoes from 12 to 15 dollars a bushel
[ca?]laco five pr yard every thing is in perpotion
[I?] have receved 3 leters from you Magge I have written
3 before this one I cant git time to write
an now [on] the Bank of the River in Wilmington
[page 4]
Mag I hav a Suit of Clouths a roundabout [3]
pants cap C[l]oths Shous cotton Socks Shirt Slips [4]
I wil Sum of them home the first opetunity
tha ar verry corse and ruff I have gut my coat
on Mag you Sed Sumthing about hiring Nat
I dont beleve he wil do hen Welch
wod Soot yu better if yu cud get him or if
you cold hire one and Swoop fur him do the
Best you can I Cant do any thin for
you now as i am tide her I Shal cum
to a close rite Soon and often let me here from
you I Receved a letter from Mother i had time to [??]
Nuthing more onley remane yours until death
, R.C.C. ,, M, J, Caldwell Oct, the 18, 1863