New York Nov 30^th 1862

On board of the

united States transport                       

 

Dear Deborah I

Recd your letter yesterday & was very glad to hear from home again and to know that you were all well. I had been to the office twice every day all of the week to get the letters from there for myself and the whole camp so I was sure to get it soon after it came in to day I got those papers that you sent me

 

            We are on board of a ship 5 companys of us that was taken from the rebels and we are / Just about as thick as bees in a hive so we can hardly turn around with out hitting some body. we have to sleep three in a bunk that is hardly wide enough to get into to say nothing about comfort but we must put up with it for it is the best we can do now how long it will be so I cannot tell. we have rations on board to last 30 days Our first destination is fortress Monroe. from there we think there is no doubt but we shall go to texas but it is not certain yet or not yet known here.

 

            I wrote a short letter to father friday so will hear from me often 

 

            You had better write to Catherine and tell her to send those pictures back if she does not do it I will write to her my self

 

            You need not pay Hat Goll any more until you get ready and not at all if you do not want to if she comes after it turn her out door—or any body else that undertakes to abuse you they have no business there and let them know it to

 

            If you write again to me before you hear from me you had better send your letters to Washington they will then be sent right to me 

 

But it is hard work to write so I will stop for this time But will write again in a few days

 

            Frank & Lily have you been good children since I left home you must like ma for me until I come back

L. V. Tucker

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