May 18th, 1863 - Camp Near Franklin Tenn

May 18th, 1863 - Camp Near Franklin Tenn

Bro Daniel dear sir I had the pleasure of recg your note of the 2d inst an the 15th which was eagerly perused by brother Mark and myself I was glad to hear of your good health but while you are in the enjoyment of was sorry to hear of the ill health of your family We are all well at this period hoping if this messenger reaches you it may fnd you and the family in the enjoyment of the same The weather is getting very warm but the nights are very cool I am sorry to hear of our last defeat an th Potomac I see by the spirit and times that some of your Valley boys have shared the fate that soldiers are so apt to share we have been very lucky so far and I hope that this protection may still continue I also see that William Gaston is wounded in the thigh some times I think that this war will not close soon and I do not think I think rong Joseph McBitty and Conrad J Echenroad are in Landalle and have bee there for one month after harsed it appears that horses are ver hard to be had I recd a letter from uncle Joseph Piper and also one from Father stating that they ware all well at the period I had ritten to you not long times but you did not state whether you had recd it or not I hope you have We are expecting an all act at this place almost daily we stand picket in sight of other they ware up at the outpost of our advance to day with a Flag of truce far what purpose I did not learn they are in with a flag of truce allmost evry three ar four days we are kept very buiddy hear I am an picket every third day and some times every other day I was sorry to hear of the ill health of Samuel she are is family but I hope by this time they are in good health agane I suppose that the Dayles Town folks are in good spirits I have not heard any thing of David Muradath since I have left the valley but I suppose he is well and in the land and among the livin I have much more to write but time will not permit me so I have the honor to be yours Jonathan Piper

To Daniel R. Piper
PS and soon and give me the general news

Direct Jonathan Piper
This is the Co. F 9th Reg PA Cavalry
Nashville Tenn

you do not need to have that care of those officers on it