1861
     Camp Butterfield, Halls Hill Nov 25

	Dear Father, Mother
		Brothers and Sisters
			It is with
		pleasure that I now
     sit down to write a few lines
in answer to your letter which
I received last night, and which
I had anxiously looked for, for the
last two weeks for it has been
about two weeks since I have heard
from home, and I did not know
but there was something the
matter at home, but I was
glad to hear that there was
nothing the matter of any of you and
that you was in good health
     I still continue to be in the
enjoyment of good health although
there are many around me that are

not so blessed.. ther has four
died in this regiment this week
one with the measles one with
inflamation in the lungs and
I do not know what did ail
the two others Harvey and
Wyman are getting well as fast
as could be expected
     We had a grand review
last wednesday at what is
called. Bailey cross roads near
Munsons Hill there were about 70,000
troops present and 25 or 30,000
spectators General McClellan was
the reviewing General accompanied
by the President secretary of war
and about 150 horsmen composing
the Generals body guard, I guess
that is a mistake about McClellan
sentencing four soldiers to be shot
as I have not heard of anything
of the [kind?] but however that

     is the fate of all those who
   are caught sleeping on their post
while standing on guard unless
they are pardoned by the President
or General McClellan
     We have to stand on guard
about once a week and have
to stand eight hours out of 
twenty four being on two hours
and off 4 so there is not much
need of any one getting asleep
Our troops are doing well at present
we have captured two forts in
South Carolina and gained a
brilliant victory at Piketon in
Kentucky and at Belmont.
There has 4'800 rebel troops disbanded
in this state and gone home and
two regiments on Pamlico sound
have blown up their batteries and
gone home. Northe Carolina has
come back into the union so


taking their reverses and our
advantages I think the prospects
are favourable for a reconciliation
in a few months
     I received a letter from
Hattie A Hamilton this week
the folks were all well when 
she wrote. she said she was
somewhat disappointed in not
seeing me this fall but she could
not but honor me in the step which
I had taken
     In a previous letter letter
I sent home five dollars, please
tell me whether it went through 
safe or not
     I want you to write 
  to me oftener for it is a great
pleasure for me to hear from home
write whether you have received any
pay from Uncle [Henry?] or not
     Good, Bye.. Write soon John H Wheeler