May 7th 1863 Bowling Green Ky
		     My verry Dear
Ma and Pa I now take the
opportunity to inform you
of my health I am some
what better but not much 
our company have not left
here yet and we do not know
when we Shall but we May leave
at any minute and may not
leave at all if we stay here
a week or two I shall try and
march with them you may
write to me and Direct as you 
always have and put on to follow
the regiment. it has been
quite cold here for the last two
or three days and has been
wet and rainy to so it is quite
uncomfort abe getting about
the boys are out on picket

to day but myself and two or
three other boys. Will Warren is
as tough as a bear. and George 
Macomber is so he has done
duty for two or three weeks
but he is not verry tough
I sent Pa a paper yesturday
and what it contains is
true we all suppose. we are
whipping them rebels out verry
badly and they cant hold
out much longer I think
if they do it will be verry
strange when we get our pay
I shall try and get a furlough
I shall get one by fall at
any rate if I do not before
all the married men are 
coming home first and then
the young men can have
a chance and I shall stand my
chance with the rest of
them keep all of the

letters and envelops which
I send you for if I come home
I Shall wantto see them
keep the envelops with 
songs on choice because they
are nice verses. this envelop say
tis sweet to be remembered
and I think it is to. I
have had no letters from
you in over two weeks and
I begin to think it is time
that I had one. this is not
a verry long letter and I suppose
it will not be verry interesting
to you write as soon as you
get this and tell me how
you get along and tell me how
Grandmas health is to
now as I have no more to 
Say I will stop kiss willy
for me and tell him
Illy loves him Dearly. tell
Fanny to be a good girl

and mind her Pa and Ma
So good bie for the present
from your ever
true and loving Son
Israel G Atkins

[Written in pencil on left side of Scan 5]

Israel 
Atkins 
letters
War

[End]

[Written in pencil at top of Scan 5]

5-7-63

[End]

Dr. H. A. Atkins
Perry Shiawasse Co 
Mich
P.M Please send
with Lovejoys mail
and oblige