Salisbury. N.C.  May 18th 1865

     Dear Parents it is with
  pleasure that I improve
the present opportunity of
leting you know where &
how I am. I am well at
present. & hope these few
lines will find you the
same. we are in camp at the 
present time and it is a
verry nice camp ground. 
I was relieved from Duty at
the wagon train about one
week ago. it is verry pleasant
weather here at present
but verry warm we have to
Drill once a day.
we are having plenty of
Strawberrys here and have
been having them for some
time past. well my time
is wearing of verry fast and
now I have but three months
and 18 days to serve Uncle
Sam. the Governer of this
state was captured about four
days ago and Jeff. Davis is
now captured. the Governers
name is Vance. he is a
verry smart man. but
a hot secesh as ever drew
the breath of  life.
the corn is knee high
here in some places.
and the potatoes are eatable
I mean the new ones.
the people are verry
hospitable her and around
here they have a County
convention here to day.
and state election will

    soon take place
and then we shall have
another state back in the
Union. our Soldiers and
the paroled prisoners are
on the best of terms and can
be seen all times in the day
Socialy chating togather. or
walking the streets arm in arm
togather. and the best of feelings
are manifest; and the
people all seem rejoiced
to see such unity.
the Rebelion is virtualy
crushed and thank the
lord for it I had got
tired of scenes of bloodshed
and [pilages?]. tell Ellen I
should like to have her
write to me once in a 
while if She posibly can
give my respects to all

the neighbors and
my love to all the relation
and keep a good share for
your self. I shall soon
see you again if the Lord
Spares my health. as there
is no danger of geting shot
here I at least weall think not
Kiss Hellen for me and tell
Fanny and Willie to be good
children to their Pand Ma
no more at present so good
Bie. I am as ever your
affectionate Son
		Israel. G. Atkins
I G Atkins Locke
____________________________

I.G. Atkins
I.G. Atkins
      Co H 23 Mich