1861 August 16

Dear father and mother
I drop you a few lines
to let you know that I
am well and I hope theas
few lines will find you
injoying the same bless-
ing I landed in richmond
on wednesday evening.

we air fairing verry well
we get beef & bacon & rice
sugar & coffee I like the
camp life fine there
air 30000 troops here now
I seen more cannons
than you could shake a
stick at I seen goats by
the whole sale our capt
is going to get us all the
things that we need
I dont know how long
we will stay here tha

[page 2
re throwing breast works
up all around richmond
but I am not a helping
tha have got 1000 negroes
at it I have seen the
very yankeys prisners I will
have my likeness taken
and send it out by
col sperry you know more
a bout when tha are a fight
ing than I do we he[a]r no
news some of our company
air a little sick but non
air in the hauspitle we
have not got our arms
we dont drill much
we have a regiment of
frenchmen we may form
regiment here at richmon
dear father I hope you
air getting a long fine
with the old gun capt
Breckinridge will send

[page 3]
me home when I get
sick dear mother
I read my bible twice
a day. dear father If
on earth no more I
see prepair to meat me
In heaven dear brother
prepair to meat me in
heaven give my best
respects to all my
inquireing friends
now I must bring
theas few lines to a close
write to me soon
direct your letter
to camp [?]
tion in care of capt
Breckenridge richmond
Va
I hope to remain
yours dear father
and mother untill
deat[h]

[page 4]
tell Mr hamilton
James and are well

James B Painter
tell my girl
howdy for me

ha ha ha

Corporal, Co. K 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment

MSS 10661