Yaxoo River 12 milds from Vixcksburgh

 in camp at Snyders Bluff Miss July 16 63

 

            Dear family i am exceedingly well how are you, yes that is what i am ancious about, for i remember that old Scioto river had a fashion of giving people the chills, but i hope it has broke its self off that bad habbit well i hope and pray these few lines may find in good health as i have just herd from our brave noble and true blue reg that i dearly love and fought with at Shilo whare so many of our brave boys bled and died whare shours of lead flew thick and fast whare the green woods was strewed with the slayn for milds around and thank god i came out un hurt and was in the battle from Sunday morning untill monday eavening 

 

July 19..63      Sunday

dear Ruth as i did not finish my letter the other day on account of being called to our regamental head quarters to give medison to and take care of our good Chaplain he is verry sick he has his discharge but is to weak to start home as soon as i was seated in his tent he saw that i was one of his old bible class members and an intimate friend and was pleased to see me he said he wanted me to read some to him from the book that i held in my hand which i charfuly and gladly did read to him a long time that book was a bible. he is so calm so perfectly resined to the will lord. well i love to be with him because he talks beautiful of heaven and the joys of immortality on hy (O the chistians hope that Jesus crist has given) 

 

i said that i had herd from the reg yes our postmaster came in from them he says they are at Jackson have the rebs allmost surounded and are fighting with them everry day but i think it is only skirmishing there ware 3 killed the other day and 20 wounded and 11 wounded at Black watter soon after they went out on there wild goos or rebbel chace let them rip there all oak and i am doing well enough i am makeing a few dimes while i have a chance i cleared $13.50 in about three hours the other day buying and selling blackberry wine i am selling tobacco and segars and caned peaches now i must try to make somthing a little for my dear and neady and ever loved family god bless there dear souls and bodys may there lives and mine be spaired to meet again— 

 

well we have put in 2 years of our time and 2 days on the 3 and last year we ware curst into the united States Servis the 17 of July 1861. well if we hold out faithful untill end we will come of victorious and once more injoy the happyness of friends and home sweet home O how i long long to be there and its pleasures to share war…war thou hast bereft me of home friends pleasure so sweet soon soon i will leave thee my home and my friends to greet

 

            yes dear Ruth we we will keep our trust in the lord omay he comfort us in this time of nead and protect us through lifes thorny path and prepare us for that better land yes whare peace joy and eternal happyness forever is. no more this time but remain your affectionate J G S

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