to my wife and children

 

Scottsborough Ala Feb 12.64

            Dear family i write again informing you that i am well i sent a letter on the way to you this morning but i expect you must nead money yes i will send a little i will not trust much by letter but a small sum may come handy you said something about my reinlisting. well the fact is i expect it is my duty to tell you the truth—i have reinlisted i put my name down on the 5 day of Jan i wayed the matter well. i saw that there was a chance to go home by reinlisting and allso thought that i would be discharged nearly as soon as to remain as i was, so my name was the / third on the roll of our company our reg nearly all are vetrons now and will go up home before long to recruit…

 

Feb 13..64

Dear Ruth good morning, i am extreamly well in boddy but not in mind. i learned last eavening that we ware not to go up to Iowa for 2 months what few vetron regts is yet hear are to remain hear untill others come back on acount of the Knoxville expidition and another large force leaves Memphis on a magnifficent scouting campain, nor will we get any pay untill we get to Nashville Tenn we are not to go out in front we are to be picket garding and gard railroads and do provos duty at towns / we come on picket dutey 3 times a week. i am on picket now on the same ridge that i was on some time since when i rote of the beautiful day this day is just as pleasent out i can not feel chearful and happy, no to think of those dear childrens sickness and suffering, and the posibility of there being called from earth away, ere i could see them again, and then to think of scenes of happyness and pleasure we have injoyed, it chills the blood in my vains and pains my heart and makes me sad and lonley yes—well in god is my trust and my companion is my little testament in which i find so many consoling word and promises if i walk up ritely (his will be done) 

 

i expect to see Colonel Miller tomorrow and get transfered to the 46 Ohio, for it will save me so much travil and risk on rail and be better all round there officers are no better and there bountys no more except state or county donations well i think i can injoy my self better with Ohio men and then it will be so nice to get on the cars at camp Chace and come by the way of Bellfountain to Larue and stop and step in to Ruths house and spend 20 or 25 days with Ruth and the blessed sweet children then it will be hard to part for millitary sceanes again but maby our duty will not be verry hard and alltogether likely our campain not verry long

I remain your affectionate husband untill death

                                                                                    John Griffen Scoville

 

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i will send 25 dollars in place of 5 pleas put it to good use for family

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