1862 March 15 Richmond, Va.

Greaner Hospital, Richmond
Va
March the, 15, 1862
Dear Cousin [Charity Unity Blair]
I havent the least
doubt but what you think
that I have for goten you
if so, I can assure you that
it is not so, I have neglected
answering your letter for
some time, tho I think
I can offer good excuses for
so doing,
I was so unwell when
I got the letters that
I was not able to write,
I was sick about three
weeks in camp before I was
sent to the Hospital I was
mending when I left camp
and I have improved vary
fast since I have bin
here, I bin here too week

[page 2]
tomorrow. I would have
writen to you soon after
I got here tho I expected
to go home soon and thought
it unnessary to write as
I was going soon my self,
after I got here thay told
me that I would have
to get a furlow from
my Col before I wd go,
the Regiment has moved
since I left them and I
dont know whare thay
are nor thay dont know
whare I am, so it is
doubtful about my geting
home soon, you must [write]to me
as soon as you get this and
let me know whether you
know whare the Regiment
is or not, our fair is very
rough here for sick folks

[page 3]
I see some of my acquantance
nearly every day coming
down on the Cars
all of the recruits and those
that have bin home on
furlows and on thar [way]back
to the Regiment, have to
wait here until thay
hear whare the Regiment is
I have no news worth
writeing so I will close write
to me soon and give me
all the news, Direct
your letters to Greaner
Hospital in care of Surg
R. G. Banks
Nothing more but remain
your affectionate Cousin
until Death James Booker
to Miss C[harity]. U[nity]. Blair

James Booker and his brother John of Pittsylvania County were both in Co. D of the 38th Virginia (Whitmell Guards)

MSS 11237