well it is May 14 i am out on picket setting under a large tree two of my comrads are sleeping one is on post the rest of us are concieled from vew of the enemy who are are spying and shooting along our line or gard yes they keep such banging away that i cant half write last nite and this morning we could hear the corinthian brothrens drums for roll call plain and distinct and allso the rumble of there cars and there hoot tot toote i had a dry crust of bread and some watter for my breakfast it is now 12 and we will get nothing untill 5 this eavening then we will be relieved and go back 1 mild to our diferent reg our line of battle / said to be 15 milds long in this shape [picture of railroad, Corinth, landing] this half circle is our army well i am tiered of war and scenes of war but maby i will see another bloody battle field be fore tomorrow nite well let it come and be over with and let peace be delcared and let the poor worn down wether beaton soldiers go home and injoy the blessings of peace and home and friends the rebbels got 15 dollars worth out of my knapsack at the other fite i now have 51 dollars in my pocket that they will not get unless they get my boddy first and then find the money well if i am shot in ranks my comrads will send it to you 

 

may god bless you dear Ruth and children live to god O pray much pray for this poor piece of mortality who in former years was happy who would be happy yet if he was at home

 

            well this is May 15^th 62 we have moved up and made fortifycations a gain we will move a gain in a day or too if they will not atact us hear. i could write lots of news but have not time to write much for we are building brest works or marching or som thing to keep the poor soldier tierd O Lol write in mas letters Philander be pacient and i will be there to help you / now Ruth if my health does not improve fast you may look for me home for i cannot think of waring my constitution clear a way so that i cannot recruit a gain it is so hot hear in the timber and watter is so scarce that we suffer we are glad to get muddy or all most any kind of watter to drink i have frequently went 1½ milds to get just one canteen full poor stuf at that if i was in the Scioto river i would have one drink and one swim and one fish write soon i remain husband untill death

John G Scoville, to Ruth S and

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