1862 June 16-17 Chaffins Bluff, Va.

My dear beloved Wife
I pen you a few
lines to inform you that I am well
at present.  I hope this may find
you enjoying the same blessing.
I have no news of interest. I [?]
hear a great many rumors but none
official.  I have not heard a word from
you since the 6th inst.  If it is possible
my dear I would like very much
to hear from you oftener than that.
You must have some idea my dear
how I appreciate your sweet
loving and affectionate letters.
I get low spirited at times and a
letter from my sweet Wife soothes
the sorrows of my poor heart-
It makes me think while I am
absent in body yet I am present
in mind.  Oh my sweet Wife
I can never no never forget the[e]

[written in bottom margin of page one]
We will start in a few minutes to our destination.
[page 2]
My dear.  If it is not Gods will
that I should ever see thy loving
countenance again I shall remem
ber you in my prayers for your
past kindness.  I know my dear you
are one of the sweetest and most affectio
nate wives on earth and I do love
you so dearly.  I can but look forward
to that day and I hope it is not
far distant when we will be
happy people once more and can
worship God under our own vine
and fig tree where no one dare
to molest or make afraid----June
17th  My dear Wife We [tear in paper]
in one hour 1/2 to Garlands Brigade [tear in paper]
from Richmond.  I will write again
as soon as I can get there.  Give my love
to all.  I do want to see my sweet
Wife so gad and kiss your sweet lips.
Direct your letters to Richmond.  Fare well
my sweet Wife I  hope to see you again.
Your dear loving & affectionate Husband
J.P. Jones C.S.A.
Write soon my sweet Wife

[in top margin of page two]
We have just got to Camp Fulton on our
way to Garlands Brigade.  Tell George I have
just received his letter. Its very strange I have
not recd one from My dear Wife Oh why

John Peter Jones, Co. F, 56th Virginia

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 11095