Fort Halleck Columbus Kentucky Apr 16^th 1863

 

Dear Parents

                        I received your kind letter on the 15^th and was glad to hear from you once more you must not forget how to back your letter next time and then I will answer it sooner it never came to my Reg^t it stoped at at the post office and had to lay there untill it was advertised so that is the reason I did not answer it sooner

 

Well things are about as they was when I wrote to you last there is no news of importance to write only that I am well and I hope that this will find you the same the weather is fine down here now the trees are getting quite green the peaches has been in bloom a long while it is getting quite warm down here we have to go out for drill in our shirt sleeves there is no sign of our having any battle yet and I do not think we ever will I think if we do not die with some sickness we will live untill we get home / I do not think this war can last much longer for the south is getting weaker every day they caught 26 guerrillias about a week ago and they look a good deal like hard times they was caught the nicest they attacked one of our boats as it was coming up the river and there happened to be one C^o of Cavelry in the neighborhood and the got wind of it and so they surrounded them and drove them right on to the boat and brought them in to our prison and they are here still and likely to be for a while Oh! but they are a degraded looking set if they are a specimen of the south I have my oppinion of them I stood guard down at the prison last night and I could not hardly control my temper to hear them talk they say that if they ever get out of the prison that they will kill every Yanke they lay hands upon but I think that they will be there some time before they get to kill any one by talking in that maner

 

Well I suppose that you have heard of uncle J Lantermans death he died in the hospital at Murfreesburough on the 3^d of this month it was shocking to me for I was / expecting to come across him some of these days but he has gone where there is no enemys to fight but I would have been happy if had of lived to return to his family for I know they will grieve his loss to a great extreme for he was a good man to his family and also his neighbors I found george Ran and I would be just as likely to come across him father I do not want you to sell either of your lots for I want one of them when I come back which I hope will not be long

                                   

Well I am so tired and sleepy that I will have to quit

                                   

Write soon and often and do not forget to address your letter

 

Give my love to all and keep a goodly share for your self and family

                                   

Good by all

                       

From J L Lanterman

To Abram Lanterman & family

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