Falmouth Feb 22nd 1863

	Dear Mother

	I take my pen in 
hand to inform you of my
health I am in good
health at present hoping
you are the same to day
it has stormed all day
the snow lies deep on
the ground it is rather
lonesome to day for me
I am thinking of you
all day it is to day
that half of my time is
out do you think you can
stand it to live until I
come home to day it is
Eighteen Months of my time

has past and gone. I hope
have not to serve as 
much long for it seem
a long time to me if not
to you you said you wanted 
to know if I had got my
boots yes I am wearing my boots
every day they are pretty tight
yet I [can?] wear them
The weather is such
that I am not out to work
to day

Well Mother this is the
is 4th day since I comenced
this letter but you [say?] want
to hear from me as
I thought I would finish
it for you Friday I have
been to the [depot?] for 
some thing to eat for
the regiment the mud

Is so deep that I could
hardly see my [musles?]
I got in the mud so
deep that I could hardly 
get out if you was here
you would laugh at me
sometimes to see me
come in there has been
a heavy fall of snow
and it is thawing every
day so it is very wet
for us to get around
I am driving pit mules
for the regiment
I am in first rate good
health I weigh one
hundred and sixty five
heavy and I the most
that I ever  weighed
only think of you you are
my only thoughts
if you are only well

Then I am well if 
             are well
you only want me
if you want to 
buy anything use my
money if you
pleas will you mother
if you want for any
thing tell me for
I am anious for you
welfare [bu?]but I must
bid you good night	
for this time
	Good bye
	Mother
	from Alvah