Dismounted Camp 
July 4th, 1864
   
Dear Brother 
I take the present
opportunity to answer your kind
and welcome letter, I have
been very sick with the Billious
Fever and am not quite able
to write - you - but am getting 
along first rate now in fact 
am nearly well, I will tell
you what we had for Breakfast
It was Codfish & Potatoes, Coffee
Bread & Butter and an Onion
Butter costs - 50 cts per pound
Potatoes 25 cts per Haversack
and dig them yourself:
I read your letter and was glad
To hear that you Rec'd that money
I would have sent more if I had not
been sick: let me know in your
next how much the wheat came
in: Give my Respects to all
that may enquire about me
I hope this may find you
in the Harvest field sweating
as bad as I do in my time
for the sun is so damned 
near Washington that it is
the next place to Hell
The Fourth of July is around
here somewhere but me
cant get a hold of it, the 
Black Bottle is emty on the shelf
and our throats seems as dry
as the contributions to the soldier
aid society; nothing to do but
lay and sweat out old time
Nothing more but remain
Your Brother
D. R. Frego

PS you can write to
both of us at once 
		J H D F
		D. R. F