Dear Mother

                Having written somewhat lengthy to Pa I thought I would drop a few lines to you. My health never was better I am black fat & rugged and enjoy camp life to the utmost I dress every day like a gentleman and am obliged to black my boots twise a day Uncle Sam finding blacking brushes &c. I dont want you to fret on my account one bit for I am far better off here than I would be at home, and I will live to tell in the future how I fought bled & died in the War of 1861. My whiskers are growing fine and in a short time I shall have a stunning pair of mustaches /

 

Tell Bruce & [?] to keep cool and when I get my money I will send my picture home in full uniform. But I must close and go to the Post Office. Be of good cheer and think often of

                                                                                   

Commisary Barton

To

M S Barton

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