Camp Near Winchester Va

October 29^th 1862

 

Miss M. J. Smith        

 

My Dear Sister:

                       I Rec^d your letter last night and was glad to hear from you all tho' sorry to learn that Susan was sick, and hope by the time this letter reaches you, she may be much better. My health is about as good as usual and the health of our company is very good, there being only one man Jno. Huckabe, upon the sick list. John D M^cLucas is not as well as he might be, though not unwell enough to be termed sick. Uncle Mac is doing very well. He rec^d a letter last night from T. C. Weatherly [faded, paper fold] that Weatherly & M^cLeod were declared elected. Irwin said will protest the election. I wrote a letter home sunday evening and started it by Jno Easterling, who has gone home. John Powell has taken his place for a month. In it I said I expected to sleep but little sunday night on acct of the rain but I did much better than I expected, therefore not very well after all. When has Aunt Ellen been gone to? You did not state in your letter.

 

I have We were reviewed yesterday by Gen Lee & Maj. Gen. Longstreet. I wish you could see our Division turn out on a review. To you it would be an imposing sight.

 

            I wrote something the other day about getting off as overseer & Mother and someone else / who had twenty negroes between them would combine, but it seems that it requires twenty working hands, so it is not at all likely that an opportunity will arise for me to get off. This is the morning of the 30^th, the weather is fair & cold with a big frost on the ground. Nights are cold here now. From [?] I think it likely that we will move from this place soon, though I can't say where or when we will go. M^r Mac Alford reached here yesterday from Lynchburg. He will remain with the Regt now I suppose.

 

I must close, remember me to all.

 

Write soon                                                     

 

Your Aff^t Brother

John W. Smith

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