In Oald camp May 21/63

 

Dear and ever belovid wife I set dow with plesure to answer yours of the 17 I was very glad to hear from you and hear that you was well I am well at presant and hope that this will find you still enjoying the same blessing we have bin out on picket but we had the best ceind of wether it is awful hot hear now [paper fold] blossom and soon will be ripe the fifth new york regment has bin transferred intow ours that is what was left of it the tow year men was discharged and went home I am glad to/ hear that the babey can walk and that the others are well tell Pa he may graft my appel tree with Goalden Sweat if he can get them handey when you rite again I wishe you would send me tow midlen size nedeals for I am geting short when I waided the rapadan river on that martch I lost one pare of sockes and my other ones aint very good Oh marey how I would like to see you and all the rest but mabe the time will com and wee will know how to appretiate it and I think that I will know anoff not to sine aney/ papers to part me from my famley again but it may be for the best we cant tell let ous feal thankfull for the blessinges we do enjoy and if it is God will we shal meat on earth but if not let ous try and meat in heaven John is well at presant he has bin promoted to corporel since we came back tell Saley that I have not heard from hear yeat and I gess that Hanah has forgot me entirley for I have not heard from her in three or four month and I have not heard from Emma Jane/Chealor in as mutch as three month thay donte know how mutch good A letar dos one that is away from home but thank God thare is som that dos seam to think of the absent and try to soth the harte with kind words of affection thare is not mutch that I can rite so no more at presant my love to you all             from your loving husband

                                                James Swanson

 

tell ma that I am just as thankfu to hear for being willing to rite as if she had roat for I know she would if she could

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