Camp Griffin Va Feb 8 1862

 

Dear parents tis with the greatest of pleasher that i right to let you no that iam well and hope thes few lines will find you the same to i got your letter 2 nights ago and so i thought that i would right and let you no it now it is has ben agood while sence ihave hearn from you bfore till then i have seen Gilmon Care he come to see me the other day he is well and ses that Jack is to tis very mudy hear now it is still times hear about the war

 

Well Mother what do you think of my enlisting in the Reglers they will give $100 dolars down and sixty days furlow which had you rather i would do / stay where i be at and not come home for 3 years maby or enlist in the reglers and come home sixty days right of enlist 5 years if i do jest tell me if you pleas to

 

            Father go to Brandon Bank and get the money that is for you there if you pleas to tis imposebell to get a picture taken hear now dont be afraid mother for i am 10½ pounds heaver then i was when ileft home Give my love to all my frends take some for self

 

Mother you must not feel bad atall but i dont care if i dont come home for 3 years i am well of hear tis a good / plase hear you rember that I  was told by aman once when there was alittle fuss you no that i sed that i thought i should enlist you no he sed he wished that i would for 3 years so ihave and aint sorey abit eather you get 7 dolars amonth and what more i send i maid up my mind to live well while i live if i earn anough to mother you neadent feel bad for i feel jest as well as i did at home ever in my life i will send my picture jest as soon as i can get it taken it is a hard job for me to right when ithink of some things i haint forgot them yet 

 

When the war is over i shant care about money atall i should like to see the chrilden first rate

 

No more till the

next So good

By

John Pitridge

 

to Jarvis & Hannah

Phelps

SOURCES