New Convalescent Camp
	Sunday Dec 28th 1862
	
	Dear Mother
	     I received your
letter yesterday and have
delayed answering in order to
see what turn things would 
take. I have been trying to get
detailed as teamster here but
have failed in that and to day
I have been detailed as carpenter
to work on the Barracks which
are building here and shall 
stay here 4 or 5 weeks if I am
able to stand it and perhaps
longer so that they will not
have me to shoot at yet awhile
I shall get forty cents extra per
day while here which will be
quite a little item in the


course of a month or six weeks
     I wrote a letter to E Js folks
and put into the Office just
before receiving yours telling
them to direct as usual but
I understand there will be a
change in the address. I will find
out and tell you. I calculated
to go over and see Wm before this
time but shall be unable to do 
so now very soon but am
going to try and get to Washington
to get my pay before long and
will try and see him again
I wish I had my pay to
send home but I shall get
   as
it ^ soon here as with the
Regiment for that has not
been paid since I left it
however it is good and will
be quite a little pile when 
it does come tell George
Burdick to be patient and

   I will send the money
to pay him before long
     the weather is quite warm
for the time of year but we
expect to have pleanty of
mud befor many days.
     About the Zuave suit I think
it will be doubtful about
my getting that unless I should 
be lucky enough to get my
discharge which is rather
	      way
doubtful the ^ they perform
now but we shall get the suit
sometime thats sure
     War news is rather dull
and discouraging still we
must have patience and
hope for the best and all 
will yet be well. I hope Mary 
will not be as unfortunate as
Harriet has been with her
children but perhaps before
this reaches you, you will be

called to mourn the departure
of another to the world of spirits
whither we must all go sooner
or later. may we be prepared
to go when we are called and
all will be well with us both
here and here after
	No more this time
Please accept this from your
absent Son James H Wheeler

To my Mother
Mrs. Sarah. Wheeler
	Love to All
	Yours etc Jim H Wheeler

	Direct as follows
	Jno H Wheeler
	   New Convalescent Camp
		Near Fort Barnard Va
	Care of Capt Chamberlin

[Written on left side of Scan 4]

Co A 44th
Regt N.Y. Vols