Jefferson Barracks July 20
					1862
Dear Sister and Family
				I am yet
here and helping take care of the
sick and wounded soldiers as you
have learned by my letters home
I rec one letter from Henry
Received a letter from my Captain
containing my descriptive roll
so that I can now draw my
pay next payday  I have not
been very well for a day or too
have had the diarhea and have 
quit work and gone on the sick
report  I feel some better to day and
think that a few days of rest and
a little drugging will bring
me out right again  the weath-
er is quite hot and the worst
of the season is at hand
It is a little more than a month 
since I left you and I have
rec but the one letter

I want some of you to write 
oftener.  Our ward which
contains about 65 beds is more
than half empty 30 patients
but we have been fixing for
new ones as we expect boat loads
soon.  then there will be work for
a while we have 2 Ladies
in the ward who help some
and make it seem more like
home they are both elderly 
women.  It is Sunday to day but 
I do not have the priviledge
of attending meeting that I do
at home though there is service
here by the episcopals and then
I have no clothes here but my 
everyday suite I think some of 
going to the City tomorrow and
buy me a few summer clothes
Our war news are rather discour -
ageing now a days.  recruiting for
more men has commenced in earnest

all our convalescents and some cooks
and nurses have been sent off to the
field.  I suppose that you know by this 
time how the wheat crop turns out
and what the other crops promise
and what the prospect is for fruit
Tell Ella to send me a kiss and
be a good girl till I come home
again.  I suppose Alfard is busy
and all the rest of the men -
but I hope that some of you
will take time to write
me if you have no more
news than I have (I think)
I am liked very well as nurse A
and get along very well
think that I had rather be here
than in the field but what it
will be when we are filled
up is yet to be seen
How is mother hope that
both you and Ellah will
write me some in answer to this

how is Cousin Alice and her
little birdie Excuse this badly
written letter.  Give my love to
all the friends Directly
	Jeffrson Barracks
		Med.
	        Ward L
	      Yours Truly
			Jefferson S. Dowd

Mrs Mary R Dow[paper torn]
Hartfo[paper torn]
Van Buren Coun[paper torn]
Michigan