Fort Hieman Ky
         April 7^th 1863
        Dear Cousin  it is with
      Respect and gratitude that
    I seat myself this Morning
       to inform you that I am
      in tollerable health at present
      hoping that these few lines may
     find your enjoying the same
       Blessing  I Received a leter
       from you this Morning
         and was glad to hear from
       you that you  werr Well but
       Sory to hear that Benjamin
       was Still in the hospital.  
       I hope he will get A
         Discharge for he Needs
      it  he is not able for the
     Service.  I have Not nor Saw
      him Since Christmas Day last
     and he werr very unwell
     We started from Memphis

March the 3rd and landed at
Columbus Ky the sixth of
the Same   Started from Columbus
the 13th of the Same landed at
Fort Hieman Ky   March
the 16th and have Ben here
ever since.   the health of the
troops is very good at present
and they Seem to Be in good
spirits   they are expecting an
atact here every Day but I Dont
think we will Be ataked Soon  
I was Sory to hear Thomas
had joined the State Guards
But that will not Be so hard
as the united States Service  
Iffe Benjamin gets home let
me know how he is geting
along   we have had Nice Weather
here for Sometime I Should like
to get at furlough very
well But I guess I Cant

 [end of letter?]