Stanton Va                  July the 24^th 1862

                                                Dear sister

it is with pleasure I seat my self to Drop you a few lines which will in form you how and where we are sam has the Jaundice verry bad I have soreness in my brest and bowels but I think I shal go to the regiment in a Day or two any how Brother Jef is with the company he was well when we left there they are near gordonsville now well Mary I have no news of importance to write this hospital is verry badly crowded here it is the Deaf and Dum assilem there are a bout 1200 men here now and no telling how many will bee here soon I wish I could get to go home a while now/I could injoy it so well now eating fruit and fishing Mary I have a notion of Joining the regulars for 3 years and get furlowe for 3 munths I 100 Dollars bounty and 20 Days furlowe evry 6 munths and 21 Dollars a munth that will bee 252 Dollars a year and after the war breaks I will have nothing to Do but Drill all the time that will lite work all my clothes found me you need not be surprised to see me at home at any time in the course of 1 munth if I Join at al I shal Join Soon and when I Join I shal come rite home sure I Dont know whether I shal Join yet or not well to change the subject Mary I have not heard from you since Tom anderson come up from home/it looks like I never will hear from home a gain I sent some paper home by Dr Ridly and Mr sledg when we left Richmond that was the first opportunity I had to send it I hope you have got it before this time and have riten to me if you have not got it send up to Dr ridly he has got it I Dident see Dr ridly when I left but he was in the city I gave it to Mr sledge he told me he would give it to Dr ridly for me well mary you have heard often we have bin in the big fight but as for giving a Description of it I cant attempt it for I couldent come near to it in any way I have walked over lots of Dead men and seen hundreds and there are lots that never have been/buried yet nor never will bee well I must come to a close nothing more at present only I remain your affectionate

 

Brother Till Death

            John W. Hodnett

 

Direct your letter to

Richmond Va Co R 13^th

Regt ga vol genl lawtons

Brigade Jacksons army

            Jno W. Hodnett

 

Please write soon and long if I go home I will get you some more Paper

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