Stevenson, Ala
March, the 22 /64
Dear Charlotte
I will try and write a fiew lines to you to let you know that I am well and that I received your letters. One was mailed the 12th. I got it the 20th and the other was mailed the 16th. I got it this morning. Your letters came through quick. I dont think you get all my letters. You havent got that picture yet. You wont get it. I will get another if I can. They cost 40 cents. I am sorry the baby is sick. If he gets the croup it will go hard. He is so fleshey. I hope he is better. I want to see him verry much but I derst not think of that. It wont do eney good. I cant come home but I hope this war wont last much longer and then the soldiers will have their liberty once more. You say Matie is verry mischeavus and wont mind you verry well. I like to see children of her age mischeavus but they should be made to mind part of the time. Elan Nelsons baby must be verry sick poor little thing. It must sufer with pain. I hope John D will get along and not have croup but I am afraid the next letter will bring bad news. I am verry lonesome to day. It snows verry hard. The snow is about 10 inches deep and it snows verry fast. You are having a time with your teeth. You had better have them pulled. That is the way I do. We got 13 recruits for our Co but half of them are sick. One old soldier is worth six new ones in eney place. I was afraid I would have the mumps but I guess I wont. I hope not. Two of the recruits have got them. We are here yet and I some think we will stay here this somer. Still we may not. We cant tell. Out times will be just half out the 25 of this month. If we can stay here untill next fall then we wont have but one year more to stay. I hope peace will come before then. If it dont and I am alive and well I shall do all I can to put an end to the rebelion and the onely place I can do eneything is in the field and that I will take. I am determined to see an end to this thing. I am willing to do all I can and what I do I do with my musket. I never want to set back and sic(?) and do nothing. Write often and let me know how you get along. I hope the next letter will tell me you are all well but I am afraid it wont. Tell Jaky I will answer his some other time. Has he ever get the one I wrote. My love to you and all. Good buy.
Chas Engle