Camp Parole.
Annapolis Md.
Sept. 17.1862.
Dear Jennie:—Once more a highly welcome letter from you to me has made its appearance on my rough board table for since I am here I have made a table such a one as it is too. I was better pleased to day in receiving a letter from you than I have ever been, on account of being so long without any news from you, and so now for an answer, such as it will be.
Jennie:—It is highly delightful and cheering news to me to hear that our folks from home called on you and paid you a visit, and further that you say you are going out to see them. Just such news as that is what I glory in hearing and my advice is continue on at the same thing and you will please me very much. I am in good health yet and am rejoiced to hear that you are well. It was nothing more than I expected to hear that news would go home that I was killed, but I was more fortunate than that although I was among the very unfortunate. It is not any ways lonesome here, for there are any amount of Paroled Prisoners here. The full amount in Camp so near as I can ascertain is about 8,000, althogether may be more and I am sure not less. We have no signs of being exchanged yet and fears are ascertained that we will have to stay here until the war is over. Oh! what a pity I say. /
In the letter I wrote you a few days ago I said that there was some probability of me getting a furlough, but I cannot succeed and so I have given up, and will have to content myself in staying here until further orders and that may not be until the close of the war.
One thing I can say that we live well here and have gay times doing nothing and expect to being at that for some time.
Give my Love to Lue & Sue and remember me to your mother and tell them I am well and getting along very well for a prisoner
Nothing more as I have no more news
So Good by for this time with my best love to you as my truly dearest friend I possess upon earth.
Your friend indeed
as truly as ever
John H. Black
Direct as before