Camp Harker

                                                                                                            Near Nashville Tenn

                                                                                                                        May 8^th/65

 

Freinds

                        M^r & M^rs Wikoff & others

I embrace the present favourable oportunity of communicating i have been waiting and expecting a letter every mail from you this Some time back that I have almost come to the conclusion that you have forgot there is such a man as John Stark in exhistence why what is the matter you have not writen before this Well M^rs Wikoff i know John don’t write and that you are busy so i presume i will have to excuse you and i hope you will not be offended but try and do better in the future/And if you have not time for i am aware that you are busy very busy Just at this time the first time Mrs Goldsmith visits you Give her my Compliments and tell her to write for you to me for i am determined to hear from you

 

Well My Freinds we have had quite a Campaign since i wrote you last we have been away up in East Tennessee near the Virginia & north Carolina Lines to intercept Late Rebel Genll Lee but of course after his surrender to Genll Grant our work was done but we had considerable Fatique duty in the Shape of repairing the railroad we arrived here about the first of May and have a Splendid Camp and the Boys are all enjoying themselves Firstrate it was the Calculation to have a Grand review of the Old 4^th Army Corps to day but it rained/So this morning that the Orders war Countermanded it will probably come of tomorrow Weather permitting and it will be a Grand Millitary Pageant. I wish that you & John could be here to Witness the Same i think you would enjoy the Scene the Assassination of our Late Beloved President erected a profound sensation of Sorrow in this army in fact i have not got over it yet & May the Curse of a Just God rest upon all Concerned well My Freinds the Boys talk and think of nothing else but Home Home Sweet Sweet Home & the Loved ones that are Longing to welcome and receive them and indeed i do think we shall Soon all be transferred to our respective States i for one am anxious to be releived as soon as possible for we are now of in benefit whatever to the Government or County/and i do think we would now be of more benefit to the Country & Government following after the Pursuits of Civil Life Liberty and Happiness My Compliments to all your family and all enquiring freinds i will now Close with the request that you write as soon as convenient yours Most

                                                                        Respectfully

                                                                        1^st Serg^t J. Stark

                                                                        Co C. 42^d Ills Inf^ty

            3^d Brig 2^nd Divi 4^th AC.           Camp Harker

                                                                        Near Nashville

                                                                                    Tenn

 

[envelope postmarked Nashville May 10 to John Wikoff Esq/Ontario/Knox Co/Ills]

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