1862 February 20 Lynchburg. Va.

Lynchburg, Feb 20, 1862

Dear Capt.[Cary C. Cocke]

I starter from
home on Tuesday last, {on route
to Camp} and fully expected to
go on so as to be at Manassas
at the time appointed {friday 22d}
but since getting to this place
I have been thrown back with
my bowels so that it is
impossible for me to report
in several days yet.

I am more than anxious
to be in Camp, especially since
I learn that such a spirit of
reenlisting pervades our company
but I am sure that you would
blame me very much to go into camp in my present
condition.

[page 2]
It seems that it is almost
impossible for me to get my
bowels right. Indeed they
have not been any thing
like regular since I left
camp. I sometimes fear that
I never will get well.
I have dieted myself until
I am a perfect skeleton,
and I am affraid[sic] that our
camp food will be very
much opposed to my
health. I will {whether
I am fit for duty or not}
report myself in camp very
soon. I am sure that in
my present condition I
could not stand it in camp
twenty four hours.
I have for the last 3 days
had daily about 4 or 5 discharges
of the worst character.

[page 3]
I have thought of reporting myself
in camp and leaving it for
the Drs. to say whether or not
I am able to stand it in
camp yet. I will assure you
that I am exceedingly
anxious to be at my post.
Please write to me, and
give me your views upon
the subject.
Please see that my horse
is attended to by the man
in whose charge I left him
& I will be under many
obligations to you.

My best respects and highest
regards to Maj. Richardson.
Please write on receipt, and
tell me what you think I
had best do. Very truely[sic] yours
J.W.Bledsoe
Address me at Lynchburg
Va.

MSS 640