Near the Rappahannock, Sept. 6^th 1863

 

Dear Priscilla.

                                                                                                            That good long letter of yours of Sept 1^st was received yesterday with the greatest of pleasure and in the first place I will tell you that you got your wish and that was that I would be quite well when I received it and so I am. I have been doing duty nearly a week and can eat my rations about as well as any of them. I have some pain about my inwards but I think that will soon leave me and then I shall call myself well. You wanted me to buy large sheets of paper so I could write / long letters but there is nothing going on about here to make any news to write about. There is no fighting going on near here all is quiet except a rumor that the 3^rd or 8^th Corpse is going to Texas and that is not worth talking about now. And so Mit wanted you to pull beans & not listen to me. I am glad you did not go and I would not do any more out door work for any body. I think I can earn enough money for you to get along with till I come home. We have been mustered for pay again and some think we will get paid again soon. I was going to send you some money by express but I found a chance where I thought / I could make 5 or 6 dollars on a watch & so bought it. I think I shall sell it by the time we get paid again & then I will send it all together. I have made a few dollars since I have been with the train buying & selling watches and pistols. It has cost me a few dollars being sick. All we had to eat was hardtack coffee & meat and three times a week we get soft bread. That you know is rather poor food for a sick person, so I bought some oysters and Strawberries & a can of condensed milk, and bread. All together it has cost me 5 or 6 dollars. I will send 5 or dollars this time and 2 next time / next pay day I shall have about 36 dollars coming to me and can send you about 50 next time if I have good luck. I hear that Dan Wolfrom is sick at home and I guess you had not better try to send the likeness by him. I would do it up good and send it by mail. It will not cost a great deal and if Dan should start he might not get to the regt. Well I hope Dear this letter will reach you as soon as yours did me & find you all well. I shall be glad to get a letter from Mother & Sue. My love to you all & best respects to all the neighbors. Zeph

 

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Al sends you and Laura and Hank his best respects

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