1862 March 3 Lafayette, Indiana

[written on patriotic stationery with the word UNION in star studded and striped blue letters at the top of the page and a vignette colored red of a man hammering the U.S. flag in place over the slogan "The star spangled Banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the Free and the home of the Brave"]

Fayette Ind 1862
March the 3d
My dear friend
I received your
Letter A few days
Ago and was glad to hear from
You and that you was well
I am well at this time hope
Those[sic] few lines will find you the
Same well Hen I suppose you have A
Hard time when you have to stand
Guard but I hope you will get
Through safe and all the rest of the
Boys I would like to see you all back
In Lafayette once more I know
you would make it shake and
Tremble for A few days and nights
us boys has A fine time here
Now work is plnty[sic] and skin is
Cheap, and A dollar or two will
Bye a heap so turn over on
the other side side[sic] before ou read more

[page 2]
John McFarland was berryed
At the white church last saturday
He was in the tenth Reg and died
At the Hospital in Louisville
Ky, I heard that John Dye
Was sick but I do not know
Where he is at
I heard that Jim had got A
discharge and George Pierce
also but I supose it is not so
I am now at John Shriners now
Working but do not know ho[sic] long
I will stay here
I have not sen Maxwells Boys see
since I wrote to you
Wages is good here know and hands
is scarce there is but few hands
In the country
I have not seen westley for some
time but I heard he was well
And doing well enough
Well Henry I must close fore
This time you must soon as

[page 3]
you get this and let me
Know all you know
so No More at this time
But Remain very
Respectfuly your Friend
Ephraim Kelley
to H [?]

MSS 8474-u