1864
              Harpers Ferry Va August 25

Dear Sister
     I take this opportunity to write a
few lines to you no knowing when
I will have another chance to write
for we keep moving all the time
we may stay here some time now
we are playing tag with the Rebs we
chase them forty or fifty miles till they get
reinforcements and drive us back to
harpers Ferry or washington the Last
time we got as far as Middletown Va
forty miles from Harpers Ferry. how
long this will continue I dont now
but I am getting tired off it
we had quite a little brush on
the skermish line yesterday we had
two man killed and fifteen wounded
and took 82 Prisoners it only Lasted
aboout a half hour. they say that
Lee is here with 90,000 Troops if
he dont Leave soon he wont have


so many to go back with to Richmond
how many we have here I dont know
but we have enough to hold this
place I think if Lee dont think
so let him take it he can tell
by trying. we dont get any news here
only about election and who is going to
be next president I hope Lincoln
wont be for I want some one that
will end this war and Lincoln is to
easey with them I he would put every
man in the field that could handle a gun
he might settle this war in three month
but he keep just enough in the field
to get them killed off Grant wants more
troops Sherman wants more troops and Banks
& Canby wants more troops and we want more
troops here and now is the time for them
if the troops have a chance to vote Lincoln
wont get many votes I dont think they all
want McClellan and if he runs and 
the army has a chance to vote he will get
a big vote

Kate I am going to send some
papers with this for you to
keep for me till I want
them. and answer this as soon
as you get it that I will know
that you get them their will be
a 1st Lieut Commission and sergents
warrant and a Reb Enlistment paper
and my discharge as a private
Remember me to all the
folks and my Love the the
children
                 from Your Brother
                               Jim
                             1 Lt Co E 133 N.Y.Vols
                                3rd Brigade 19th Army
                                                      Corps
                               Harpers Ferry Va
                                    To
                               Kate