1861 October 15 Orange court house

Dear father an mother
I take my pen In hand
to let you know that I
aint verry well I am
in the hospital now but
I can began to walk about
I had something like the
fever I am well treated
I get some of the best mile
I ever tasted I get the verry
chicken soop and I have
the ladys to wait on me
father you said If I got sick
you would come after me
they wold not come to
hospital I hve seen wash
ington citty and elexander
and patomac river and the
ships sailing father
I was glad both you
was gettin a long so well

[page 2]
a seeding and making
guns mother I received
your letter I was glad to
her from you all you
me to my likeness taken
and send by [mr hines?]
but I could not get it
taking it it is gods will
you will see my face
we air expecting a big
fight fight every day I have
been in a line of battle
expecting to fire every minute it did not
frighten me a bit
george I want you to stay a way from hanes
I want to ten to
you to tend to your wo[r]k
and let the gals a lone
you said if we did not
whip the yankeys you was coming
down

[page 3]
If you see the yankeys
one you would run
home I want you to
pick me a bout a half
bushel of chestnuts
and save the[m] for me
give my love to all
the girls tell all the
children howdy for me
you need not to expect
many letters from me
you must not send me
any answer to this letter
give my love Joel hames
hamiltons family
mother I send you
a lock of my hair
father I hope you air
getting a long well
nothing more
but your dear
Son
[?] till death

James Barney Painter Corporal Company K, 28th Virginia Infantry

MSS 10661