Camp of 9^th NY Hy Arty

                                                                                                March 12^th 1865

 

“Dear Sister”

                        I received your very welcome letter last evening it found me well as can be expected for an old man that has withstood the blasts of so many winters in the colder regions of the north Frone I presume you have received my letter ere this containing $20.00 we rec^d our pay before I got your letter so it would have been just as well if you hadent sent it but it is all right now you can take out your $1.50 & then we will be square

 

I shall send my check of $40.00 as soon as I get it Fone you are right this war makes queer work old Maids. Widows Widiwers & old Bachelors get married & babies lord there is no end to them /

 

Frone you said you had ile on the brain so did I yesterday for I had a nigger barber cut my hair & as a matter of course put on some ile But without fooling if I had money enough at home & you & father thought it best I wouldent have any objections to your trying it & there will be nearly $200. when I send my check of $40

 

There was a man by the name of James Kelley shot for Desertion in our Division yesterday he belonged to the 67 Pensylvania of our Brigade he marched out as bold as a Lion & sat down upon his coffin & was blind-folded & 12 guard shot at him & nearly all of the shots took effect it was a hard sight such as I never want to witness again I understand he has jumped 15 bounties We have been reviewed by Genl Mead there was a C^o of Ladies present waving their handkerchiefs & when we passed them they wer looking through field glasses at us /

 

Fron I had my Phiz taken yesterday which I will send home it dont look a bit like me & I think I shall have another taken there is no news of any consequence at present so I will close by asking you to write as soon as convenient accep these few lines from your brother

                                                                                    James H Thatcher

                                                                                    1^st Serg^t C^o B 9^th N.Y Arty

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