Erleys Brgade

Near Mannasas

Jan       31^st 1862

 

Dear Mother

                        This evening I seat my self to drop you a few lins to let you no that I am well Hoping these few lins may find you all well, And a doing well.

 

            Brother Wm was over hear a few day ago, And stayed all night with me. He was well and sendes his love to you all, Especiley the feminine Gender. I re’c’d a letter from Brother John a few days ago, yes I belive it was rot the 22^nd of Jan, stating he was well He said he had a game of poker, And he was a going to wine money enough to bring him home and back again. He sayes he is a going to try / his hand on an other Boy. He sayes he can do better the next time. So pleas tel Reen to look sharp.

 

            Give Reen my best love And respects, And tel her to be a good gal, And keep that boys noes clean, And not let him Eate durte, or play in the branch or run about in the snow.

 

            Give my love to grand Ma And Aunt Ann, To Uncle Jef and his wife, also to Aunt Martha Uncle Mats wife. Tel Faney she has faild to rite to me. I have not re’c’d a letter from her in a long time. Give my Best love to Rebecker, And tel her to be a good gal and keep her noes Clean, And not go bair footed

 

            Now Mother be shure and tel my little James hody, And he must make haste and groy fast, And come on out here and let our old Mother have it / to say, that she has got her hole force in the field. She has now got three as good Solders as the Confedracey afordes, And three as willing Soles as ever sholderd a musket, And three that is not afraid to use one. If it should come to the test, one, which is Brother John, has already tried and proved him self good to the test. yes he has been tried in tow hand to hand Contests, And has never yet flinched, nor fell back. And I hope that Brother W^m may prove what sort of Steel he is made of, And as for my self, my conduct may speake for me. Tel Rebecker I wish she was a man, for I no she would have a hand in this grate contest.

 

            If you see any body that cears any thing for me, just tel them to send me / a good old drink of Whiskey, And charge it to the South, at large. If you see Uncle Dave tel him as soon as we are payed off I will send him three dollars, in the room of his old bill, And if any of you find any more of the same sort, just send it to me, and I will pass it, any thing is good here.

 

            So rite soon to your ever loving Son

                                                            Jack Milton

 

If you see puss tel her to rite to me, &c

                                                            J.M.

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