[the letter was written by Sgt. John M. Black, Co. A, 37th NC Inf.]

Camp Gregg Va
March 24th 1863
Dear Father & Mother
With pleasure
I avail myself of the opportunity of letting you
know that I and Marion are both well at
present hoping these few lines may find you
well they put us in The Guard House and we are
there yet my trial was today I proved all I
wanted to that I was not able to come back I
do not know what will be done withe me.
Marions Trial has not come on yet.
I want you to write to me as soon as you
receive this. I do not think we will have to
[????] yankees here we are too well fixed
f them [????] have to fight them at all it
will be above or below here or a bout richmond
your affectionate son
Thornton Sexton
My dear wife
I am well to day hoping
this will find you well. The times are
[????] and every thing is very high We get
pleanty to eat at present I want you to do
[????] if you can in my absense. There
is a good deal of sickness here. They are not
going to punish us any only with a little
[???] hours a day. I did not make
[page 2]
any difference about our not coming back in
the time we were ordered to some came back
three weeks before and were put in for
the same thing we have started two letters before
this one write as soon as this comes to hand
I am going to send a little Book and a fine
Comb by Thomas Testerman. We got here
and found Jo here there is no more
likelihood of his getting a discharge than
there was before. Write to us who of the
Militia have to come Write how all the
connection are coming on also the friends
write how my stock is coming on
Nancy Thornten wants you to write to him
I want you If I never come home to have
what belongs to me Thornt says if hes
Sow has more than 5 pigs I want Sis and
Sarey to have one a piece Thornt wants
Elvira to write him a few lines
your Husband
Mary Sexton Marion Sexton

Mr Prior Sexton: I dont like to give
you any advice unless I were there
to examine the Law I have no means
of examining the Law here I think you
ought to file your Bonds yours &c
with your Wills John M. Black