I rec'd a letter from you and Delinda this morning and be sure it was a pleasure to me. Sorry that you worry about me at all. You would not if you knew how I am. I have written such blue letters along back that I know it must make you feel unpleasant. I am sorry that I wrote so. You know though that it is a good symptom for any one to find fault. I shall go to my Regt. again tomorrow morn. I intend if nothing happens more than I anticipate.
     Our Capt. left here this morning on his way home. I sent my watch and a package of old letters by him He will probably get home next week so if you wish to see him you can

probably do so the last of next week or the first of week after next.
I think there must be a letter between the ones I have rec'd. Your letter spoke of your visions of a poor soldier. I assure you, you have altogether too dark a vision of that soldier. I am fully prepared to say with you, "What a blessed religion!" whether I have religion or not. I have seen enough of the effects of religion so I can heartily endorse the sentiment. I have not been sick enough to go home. I, of course, should like to go home if I could but I suppose they want me to help take Richmond or some other great work. I shall be glad to get my mail more regularly I have not got my mail very soon after sent as you have seen by my letters. Dont worry about my going to my Regt. too soon for be sure I would not go if I did not think it for the best. If I cannot endure the service

I have no doubt that the Surgeon would send me to Div. Hosp, or some other good place. I dont believe he will require me to do duty unless I am able for it. He has used me first rate always. Dont let the eating of my grapes trouble you for next year I trust I shall eat them with you and if the vine does well it ought to produce enough to give us both a good taste. Warrant Alonzo [i.e., Alonzo Jackson] likes to stop after meeting. I reckon I have not attended many meetings for the last six months. Glad Grandmother is so well. Dear good grandmother but few are blessed so highly as I am in the way of parents grandparents and relatives. I desire that the time may soon come when the war may be over and I may meet you in health and prosperity. I have been thinking perhaps I should like to hire with the proprietors at home for a while after I get home.

In love, your son
John

Dear Sister Delinda, I am glad you have at last been able to visit our Sivermore friends. I should like to visit them and will by and by. I trust, "Associations" and such like are to me pleasant rememberances.
     I should like to see Cousin Mary very much but she would not take the trouble to come to see us last winter when she was down there so I shall not be likely to try so very hard to go to see her until she does come there when I am at home.
I am glad you approve my course about making money by means that my conscience will not fully approve. If I live I want to have money to buy me a farm in the course of two or three years but I rather die with a perfectly free conscience than as an owner of a farm if I can have but one
     My love to all my friends. Probably I cannot write very often for awhile. Aff.ly

John

I understand that our Corps is moving so I dont know what is in store for me. if I go to the Div Hosp I can write before long.