William [illegible] Uncle Hugh & [illegible] 
are here & I will send my letter by 
William 
         Camp near [illegible] 
Aug 14 A.D. 1864 
Ever Dear Sister 
  [illegible] to 
your kind epistle of the 9th I will 
[illegible] to pen a few lines. [illegible] 
it as a privilege. & do we appreciate such 
priviliges as we should I fear not, we as 
mortals, and Human Beings are not apt 
to value such privilegs as we could we would 
were we once deprived of them, but the 
past 20 months, for I [illegible] that it has 
been just that time since I last saw You. 
with others that are still dear to me. 
Yes that day is still fresh in my mind 
& will Ever remain so until time shall sease 
with me. I was agoing to say that the first 
20 months has I [illegible] believe been a good School 
to me, & I hope if God in his Mercies
Permits me to Return to my Native State 
that I may return [illegible] the wars for the 
[illegible] I sometimes. yes I often think 
& feel that should I forsake God, & lost all 
the hopes I have. I should be miserable 
& never wish to Return to those I love. 
but these thoughts should not [illegible] the mind 
& we should not suffer them to hang about 
the mind. but should Cherish such thought 
as would tend to draw the mind to the right 
& thereby [illegible] near God. & all will be well. 
you Speak of your Religious Enjoyment. 
true it is. that a Person cannot enjoy as 
much where they do not feel at home, as they could 
were they perfectly at home, & could work in 
perfect union when the [illegible] 
Society was first organized. I immediately 
united, feeling that I could be of more 
benefit on the advancing of the great 
Cause, that we all should be engaged in. 
for the [illegible] of Christs Kingdom here
on the Earth at the time I expected 
you with William would unite with 
      will 
the [illegible]. & I believe you ^ be better 
Satisfied. than you are where you are 
I dont know how it is now. but you know 
as well as I do that the Baptist was not united when 
I was there, & I believe on better off, & not belong 
to any Church. than where they are [illegible] 
for God will not prosper such, & where any 
one is Satisfied that there is great enjoyment 
with some other society. I think it wrong 
not to unite with such a Society 
One the members of the 18th Mich. have a 
Christian Society formed. it numbers now 
over 100 members. I have not had the 
opportunity of attending the  [illegible] Prayer 
Meetings at the Court House of late 
   being away from the Regiment for the past 
week. we have had some Excelant Meetings at that 
place they have been kept up for 6 Months without 
[illegible], & the Regiment has been blessed.
I have just been out [illegible] 
duty guarding Prisoners I do 
not have much to do. I do not 
no how long we will stay here 
I would rather be here than in 
the City it is more pleasant 
Pa was here a little while ago he 
is well. William was up after [illegible] 
but did not stay long, he also is well. 
Morrice, Geo Carver, Geo. Brown 
was here a few minutes ago 
Brown intends to go to Chattanooga 
to work. Uncle Hugh is some lame 
but I think he will soon get over 
that, & be well again. 
but I will close & get my supper 
Excuse this for I have writen in great 
haste. the Boys of the Regiment are 
well as far as I know. no more 
write soon. & believe me as ever 
your Soldier Brother   AWBarber