Tuscumbia, Ala.
June 28, 1862
Dear affectionate Wife,
It is with great pleasure I take this opportunity of writing to you to let you know that I am well and hearty and in good spirits and hope this may find you all to enjoy the same valuable Blessing for there is nothing like good health. I recd. your letter of the 5th yesterday and it gave me more pleasure to learn that you were all well at that time, but still it worries me some to think that you have your troubles, but hope for better times.
I hardly know what to write but we have moved our camp from one side of the town to the other. We are encamped within about sixty rods of the largest and nicest spring I ever saw. It is as large as the Huron river and as clear as crystal. Henry had a letter from George about a week ago which stated that he was in a fight a had a pretty narrow escape.
You wrote to me about that Needham affair. I think you had better send Robison word to push that Tight along for I don't want to pet old Iomy [illegible?] any longer, for they are mad so it will not make any difference. For I do not want to coax him at all for I have no sympathy for a knave as base as him. You say that you would like to see them come down to the lowest which I have no doubt but they will for their meanness.
You must not worry yourself so much about me being gone for I never should have enlisted if I thought it was not my duty to do so and I think so yet for the country wanted my service and if they give me privilege to go home once a year I will not complain. But I still think we will all be at home the end of a year, but it is hard telling for we have had no war news here for nearly two weeks.
You say you have twenty-five dollars to let out. Now if you do let it out, do not take a note without bail for we hardly know who to trust nowadays. I have almost 22 dollars yet and I would send the most of it home if I could get a chance. But Mr. Warner is going home but does not know yet when. We had orders to return our clothes all but 1 pr. boots or shoes, 1 pr. pants two pr drawers, two shirts, two pr socks, 1 hat or cap, 1 single blanket, the balance was to be done in a bundle and marked with the name and Co, and Reg. and it was sent someplace not known by us privates so I took my quilt 1 single blanket, overcoat, jacket and satchel with a lot of notions in it and rolled them all in one bundle and they were all sent someplace but I do not know where. You wanted to know how I was off for clothes. I drew three shirts, two when I enlisted and one at Camp Dennison and found one at Savannah and the other day I sold one for 75 cts by me waiting till pay day so I have all I am allowed to carry and neither of them have any holes yet, but my first pants are worn out and I have a new pr. When my old ones got holes I packed them. You need not fret about my clothes as I am better clothed than when I was at home. I would make a pretty good bachelor for I can sew a patch tolerable well.
I have just got back from picking blackberries. It has been very hot here for some time. Day before yesterday we had heavy thunder showers and [it] is thundering now and I think we will have another shower. I picked my berries in my hat and the sun gave me an awful headache. I still wear my old hat all the time but I cannot wear it much longer for it is in holes now. If I would have known of Ed Niver going home I would have sent for one. If I should send for one, I wear size 7 1/8, so you could buy one and set it and if you get this letter before Ed comes, try and send me a good durable one, and I will pay him well for his trouble, as it almost burns one's face and neck to wear a cap. The Co. is out on a scout now for nearly a week. I was on guard when they went or I would have gone with them. There is once in a few coming in with prisoners. They are out about 18 or 20 miles.
End of letter
