Sept 12th 1862   
Sister Emma
     Good morning
how are you this morning
I am well as I ever
was in my life. and so
are the boys in general
We went from Covington
to camp. Michel and staid
there until Sunday night
then we went to tunnel
hill in sight of  coving
ton and staid there 3 nights
and 2 day then came here
camp Walace where we now
are. We had to lay on our arms
which we have had to do 
                                     p
ever since we left cam^ 
Mitchel. Now we are in 
sight of the Ohio about
a mile of there are
some hills here that you

would not like to ride down
or tumble down it is the
ruffest land that I ever
                                                 ers
saw. We had some of the nigg^
work to do in the way of
throwing up breast work
we have had some shooting
of pickets. I must stop and
clean my gun. Well I have
been cleaning up the par-
ade ground and now it
rains. dinner is most ready
we have got rice and hormony
for dinner, dinner is over and
I fell some as Will did when
he ate pudding and milk kind
of strange you know, at it again.
I have been over to see-
brother Charlie he told
me to tell you that he
had just eaten a plate
of beans yesterday he had
the ague a little yesterday

part of his company went
out on picket he did not
go he said that he was
pretty cross becaus he could
not go they did not see 
any secesh. Will Moore and
a few of the boys went on
farther than the rest of them
and this morning he went
in another direction and did
not come back with the rest
of the company he seems to
be bound to do somethi
ng if the rest do not. well
I have got through work
and so I will write a little 
more you see that I have
to do it by pieces Will M
has got back they saw
some secesh cavalry but
did not have any squirm
ish with them as Miles says
they were retreating when
they saw them. tell Mother
that there are an abundance
of sweet potatoes here we
have all of them that
we are a mind to dig
and some Frish potatoes
those new shirts go first
rate dont scratch a bit
it rained that night so
that we had to dig a ditch
to drain our rifle pit to
day you must excuse
poor writing for you know
I have a splendid writing
desk that is my portfolio
held in my hand but
I suppose it is accepta
ble if it is not so nice
there are 3 beginners
in sight of ours when
you write direct your
letter to cincinatti for we
shal get them one day soon. 
Supper is ready so I must say
good night

[Written sideways in the bottom right corner of Page]
James