Pope’s Head Run, 8 miles from Manassas.

Head Quarters of Company G.

                                                                                                            June 26. 1862.

 

Dear Jennie:—

                        On this beautiful and pleasant day, as the sun is throwing forth his refulgent rays, It is my privilege of acknowleding your welcome epistle of the 18^th. And I will endeavor to answer it in the most appropriate style. I am highly delighted to hear of your continued good health, and hope that such news may always greet my anxious ear, while I remain a true soldier in the service of our beloved country. It is still the heaven blessed privilege of mine of telling you that I am in excellent health, and am at all times ready for my rations and my duty. My duty at present is very light. It takes me but one half hour each day to perform it, and the remainder of the day is at my own disposal. I have told you frequently about our strawberries and cherries, and do not be taken on surprize when I tell you that the Mulberries are ripe, and that they are very plenty. It will not be very long any more until our large crop of peaches will be fit to gather and eat and we are the boys for them. /

 

We have rain plenty with us. It rains about every other day. I am glad to hear that you and Lue are so much together and I hope that you may continue to be such intimate friends. And I also hope that you may have joyful and cheerful times, and have a pleasant fourth of July, wherever you should happen to be on that day. As we are scattered along the railroad we do not intend to have any extra time on that day, and so will have to permit it to pass away almost unnoticed.

 

Jacob Walters sends his best respects to you and says he is well. Likewise does Sam. O. Evans The boys of our Company are in excellent health with the exception of two who are unfit for duty, and they are not dangerous.

 

Our 1^st Lieut. T. S. Shannon has resigned and gone home to Philadelphia. No tears were shed when he left, except a few for joy. We have tired of him ever since the Regiment landed in Washington and we were not slow in telling him, so he thought he had better resign and leave us. Milton Funk has been appointed to fill his place. He is the man that was to have it, when the Company was first organized, but through some sly trick of the Captain he did not get it then, but now he is all right. /

 

Give my Love to Lue and tell her to take good care of herself and be a good girl joyful, cheerful and independent all the time, and nothing trouble her.

 

My respects to your Mother, Aunt and all those who may have so much interest in my welfare as to make inquiries about me.

 

Give my best respects to Miss M^cCabe if you please.

 

            Well Dear Jennie news is very scarce with me to day and so you need not expect a lengthy letter. So with my best Love to you and advice to take care of of yourself and not work too hard while I am away, I take the high liberty of signing myself your devoted, true and affectionate friend as ever, and ever will continue to be so.

                                                                                    John H. Black

                                                                                                Ord. Sergt. Company G.

                                                                                                            12^th Pa. Cavalry.

Address Sames as heretofore.

Jennie:—Hope, trust, be cheerful and contented as well as nature and circumstances will allow in time of Rebellion.                                  J. H. B.

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