Earlier letter from D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory, his wife

STATE ALAJACKSON CO

AUGUST 24, 1862

Dear wife and children and pa
this is Sunday morning. I am well as comon. I hope that the murseys of God these lines will comb safe to your distant sweat (sweet) hands and find you well and doing well.

I received your kind leter the 21 inst. that was Dated the 12. It Don my hart good to read it. It releaved me of a hevy wate to now that you was all doing as well as you ar. I hope you will all keep in good hart and do the best you can. I want to sea you all mity bad. But I try to pass of the time the best I can. I dremp of seing Davy last night. O Lord how long can I bee Before I can git to comb home to my sweat wife and Babys. it shorly cant Bee long but I dont no.The Yankees is close by they are on one side of the river and us the other. But we ar vary frenly. We can talk to each other as much as we please. They are as will to quit as we ar. They ar coming over and given up eve dayOur Regment is tore all to peases. Wee left three companeys in Charles to gard that Bridge. We left thar the 21 and landed at this plase to 22. They sent us hear to keep the Yanks from Crosen the River. This morning we have orders for three companeys to go to some Bridg to gard it. I dont no what company will hav to go. I dont thing we will have to do anything but Dog about and gard Bridges and clean up camp grounds. that is all we have Don yet.

Well hun my Mess is all sick by mee... Daniel and they is not much sick. They Can eat vary harty. Jehu was left in Charleston sick with the ganders. Dick was take vary sick last night with Bowel Complant. I hope he will be beter by night. We hated to leave Jehu mity bad but it was the best for him I think. He will be up with us in a few days. If we are one of the companys that has to leave hear I hope I wont have to leav Dick. Tel father and mother that Dick and Jehu I dont think is any ways dangerous and Jehu is whar he will bee tended tow and if I keep wll Dick wont lack for attention if I am permited to stay with him.

We are about 75 miles from Charleston. Tell Bob and Hamp that the Capt has rote to his on and giv him the authority to bring the boys thru.

Well lovin wife this is a hard life to liv But it has to Bee. I hope it wont last long. I think they ar fixen up to quit. it is the opinion of the people generly. Well my wife and Babys and I want you all to Do the Best you can and pray for my Saf Return and quick. This is the 9 leter I have rote to you. When you git this leter I want to to wright to me how many leters you hav got from me sens I left hom giv my Best Respects to Every Body that inquires after mee.

I am Seten on an old log and Rightin on a barel hed. Billy Kelly is with mee. I am going to right a leter for him when I finish mine. So I shal have to close for the lack of room and Somthing to right. Direct you leter to Chattanoog Tennessee. So I remain your and loven husban til Death Shal part us.

D.C. Gregory to M.A. Gregory his wife

PIE