Hd Ders, G Co 19th Regt VRC Sherburne Barracks Washington D.C. May 1st 1864 Jefferson Dowd Dear Cousin and fellow Soldier yours came to hand to day forwarded from Jeffersonville Ind I was right glad to hear from you again and just at this Present time espec ially as I have been some time without mail which is a matter of course when a Soldier changes Bases of opperations we have formed a junction with Grant on the Potomac and found all quiet although we expect that Something will be done very Soon for they are getting every thing Ready to go to Richmond or else make a big Strike somewheres else We left Jeff, Ind, Apr 17th and were 3 days and nights on our way here we got very nearly tired out and used up and the Men have been on a right Smart of [illegible in original] Since we have been here My health is Passably good Physically but I am Sorry to to say that I have not that degree of Spiritual life that I wish that I had I have been to negligent of my Spiritual Welfare and wandered to much after the Vain and trifling things of Earth But yet I have a desire to be found of God in the last Day when he shall appear I have a little less than 3 months yet to Serve. Please excuse this short as I have recd and read 7 letters to day and this makes 5 that I have Written With My best Wishes I am your Cousin GS Dowd Address Segt G Dowd Co G 19th Regt VRC Sherburne Barracks Washington DC [page is torn off]