1862 August 17 Augusta County, Va.

Augusta Coty  August 17th  1862

Dear Friend
It is with mutch pleasure
that I imbrace the presant opportunity of answer
-ing your most wellcom letter that I recd on
the 15 instant I was glad to  here that you
was well and geting a long well.  I had rather
cum to the conclusion that you had forg
-otten your promis a bout writing but I
believe that you air a man of truth.
what has becum of Jas Mc I hafe not
hird from him sence he left.  I would
be glad to here from you all often. Well
Thomas I suppose you was in the last
battle that Jack had with the yankees
how did you com out was you hirt or not

[page 2]
I have had no correct news from the
Company sence the Battle. I hird that
Baylor and Bowers was killed I am truly
sorry that it is too true I hird that the was
sum three or four wounded but could not
learn who the wais except Jnoh Gabbrit
the is so many reports going that we cant
tell what is correct.  you say that you
hird that I am to be married this fall
I think Sir you have bene missinformed
about the matter but I onley hope
it may be true if it should be the case
I sirtenley will take pleasure in sending
you som of the cake but I fear that
the is no sutch good luck as that the
Girls all want to wait untill the war
is over if that be the case I dont think
that I will stand mutch chance
well Thomas I dont think I haf eny
news to tell you at this time the is a
gratedeal of sickness in the naborhood
you can here of a deth most evry day

[page 3]
I was at Church today saw your
Father and sister thay wair well
I tell you, I saw sum mite pretty
girls John R B[?] hav gon to the spr
ings, I want to goe a day or two if I
can wish you was here to goe with me
Billy is geting along tolarble well
he has a very bad cold and cuf
but his wound is doing verry well
he cant bair eny weight on it yet
Billy Lucas Billy Fulton Jas Brown[?]
is here this eavning to see him.
I will  hav to stop scribling for
this time hope you will excuse all
mistakes  Pleas write sune and give
me all the news  Give my best Love
to all the boys and resirve a larg
portion for your self.
I remain you sincere friend
J. C. McKeny


[letter probably written to Thomas M. Smiley of the 5th Virginia]

MSS 1807