Camp Coustons Bluff

            feb the 15^th 1862

            Dr B. F. Hodnett

 

            Dear Brother I have at last seated my self to answer your kind letter that I received afew weeks since and read with pleasure I would have riten sooner but did not have paper & have been verry busy too building our baery we have to work half of every day on till 11 oclock some nights we are looking for the yankeys evry day now of the spring tide as it will last next week if they dont come in that time they will not bee apt to come at all this spring they are about 20,000/thousand on worsaw island they are trying to burn skidaway bridg but I dont think they can succeed at it. I think our cost soon will bee saft if they dont attact us in 4 or 5 days we are puting up a batterey on the saint augustenecreek we have 5 pieces 1.18 lb & 32          1.64     1.10 inch morter for [?] we can see the yankeys mastpoles on there vesels I have no other news of importance I herr too that they are are geting town the best up the country but I hope that we will whip them yet I see some seem to bee geting in dispair but the saying is the darkest hour is just before day I dont think/they can whip us nor shant un till it is done. well to change the subject I saw the boys yesterday they are all well and doing well sam looks alittle pale yet but he is at work they are 2 miles a bove us James will bee down here to morrowe benny we have not drawed any money since november but will draw monday I think I will have to pay for some things that I got from the government this time and if I can spair any I will send it home comeing from va and 3 or 4 days after we got here cost me a bout 15 Dollars we stayed in savannah we drawed provisions but no wood and we couldnt cook/

 

well I must bring these lines to close. these lines leaves me well as common I weigh 156 1/2 lbs. you must excuse these lines nothing more at present only I remain your Brother till Death        John W. Hodnett

 

you must write soon and give me all the news

SOURCES