1862 January 24

Dear Sisters and all the rest of
you I seat myself to inform you
that we are both well at this time
we had a slight tuch of the
yellow janders a bout a week ago
We have got over them now hoping
you all well Virrilla stated you
all had bad colds in her letter
of the 12 of January
it is suposed that we will come
back to old Virginia in a short
time we are very comfortably situated
where we are good warm winter quarters
and I would prefer staying out
hear untill the spring I have written
one a week ever since we come out
hear and I will continue to write
every week whilst we stay--

[page 2]
out hear for your satisfaction
write me word how often you all
receive letters from us we have
received three from you with the
one John N. Eubank braught
us since we landed in Kentucky
write me word whither or not you
got the one where I requested Father
to send over in Bedford to John H
Hawkins after the waggon an my
other tools &c I sent an order in
that one thinking probibly he would
not deliver them with the order
and I will send another one if you
did not get that one
tell Sam to write to us sometimes
and let us hear the news from his
side of the River and how he is
getting along and how much force
he works and who they are

[page 3]
I have no news to communicate
for I have not left Camp as
far as a half mile since I have
bin hear the country is very rich
an that is all I can say for or
against it write me word did
Sam get the letter I wrote requesting
him attend to some buisiness Mr
John Y Barrott had to draw of
of mine they was Blacksmiths
acounts
I think Arthur Davis and
St. Johns is playing oposum at
home write me word if it is so
arthur said he had soar foot when
he left
direct your letters to Bowling green
Kentucky in the care of
Col0 Wharton Floyds Brigade

[oage 4]
direct your letters to
Bowling green Kentucky in the
care of Colo Wharton 51 Regiment
Floyds Brigade
good bye for the present
Keep your spirits up and do
not give way to the hippo or
for it will not pay

Wm.W. Martin
Jas. Martin

[The hippo was an old expression for hypochondria]

James Martin, Private Co. E, 51st Virginia Infantry
William W Martin, Corporal Co. G, 51st Virginia Infantry

MSS 11250