Dec 9 8^th 1862

                                                                                                Camp Near Fredricksburg

 

Dear wife I take this opertunity to rite A few lines to let you know that I am well at presant and hope that these few lines will find you and all the rest of the folkes same I have not had aney leters since I roat before but James Re was hear yesterday and it made me feal so well that I thought I must tell you he is well and looks as naturl as ever it mad me think of home our redgment is faling ver fast thare is about 120 men that go to the Docters evry morning for madison and thare has bin one or tow death evry day for over A weak John is not aney betar he looks/ rather harde he is with ous but donte do aney dutey he say that he dont feal sick but is same with the rumitisam it is warm and as plesant as sumar tow day our Lutenats have both bin promoted to capts and our ordley has to a Leutenant in other Co but Cap Lambie has not don as he agreed with me for it was my plase for sargent and he apointed one from the rankes becose he was the ordleys Brother in law but you must not tell that I rote this to you for I have herd that Fr empy was to be redust to rankes and I was to have his plase the Cap is not the same man that he was wee cant bleave all that he says and he has got so that he can/ swear and that I never expecd of him but be sure that you tell no one that I rote this to you for if he should find this out it mite be worse for me the nexte time you send me a paper I wish you would sinde me 2 or 3 drawings of tee and A fine come if you can for it stans me in hand to ceape clean hear if I want good helth I forgot to tell you that Jame Re is 5 or 6 miles from ous and I cant get a pas to go and see him and if I go with oute thay would coart marshel me so that I have to stay with the Regm but thare is atalke of our going intow winter quarters and then thare will be more chance for ous to see one an other it is/ Sunday to day and wee have had our inspection this morning so that the rest of the day will have to our self and I thought I would rite to you and if you are getting more leters [paper fold] must let me know but it dos me som good to rite to you but mor good to read one from you thare is not aney news to rite no more at presant write as often as you can and feal abel to my love to all remane your loving

                                                            husband

                                                            James Swanson

 

marey how I would like to see you and the children and res of the folkes and I hope that God will grant ous that blessing before longe

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