Camp Ella Bishop Jan 22 / 63 
     Brother William 
        I received a letter 
   date 
from you bearing ^ of Jan 9 which was 
forwarded in a Box Sent to Albert Barber 
I was glad to hear from you that you 
were well Yours found me enjoying 
myself as well as the Surrounding circum 
stances would admit of we have been confin 
-ed to our quarters for Some time on account 
of Storm & mud which makes us feel uneasy 
we are wishing for fare wether So that we 
can Stir about again I guess you have 
had rain & mud this winter as well as 
we in Kentuck all things [crossed out] [here] Seem to 
moove as usual here except the confinement 
we have to Suffer on account of the wether 
I am obliged to you for the trouble you 
have taken to find Some Sheap for 
me I have concluded that it will be  
best not to buy till after Shearing 
Brother we had a visit from mrs 
Thorn  She called on us under trying 
circumstances however She arrived in 
time to See her Husband before he  
died  I was rather under the wether 
when She was here I told her that 
I wished She would not excite the fears  
of my folks when She got back to Michigan 
This morning we had another Visitor 
from Michigan Mr Thiels I learned by 
him that Mrs Thorn reported that I 
was very hard up & that I was going 
the Same way that her husband went  
well William I know that I am 
liable to die at any time but I think 
Mrs Thorn mad out a rathe Stronger 
report than was really necessary at 
present although my health has been 
rather poor for Some time past yet 
I have been able to travel about the 
camp all the time & I feel that I am 
on the gain at present & hope to Soon 
be able to resume duty again
Wm Mr Shepherd & Mr Squier was 
         us 
in camp with ^ two or Three days this week 
they Started for Mich yesterday if you 
can See them they will give you a 
[illegible] a correct account of how the Boys 
are      Brother you Say that you have 
been thinking of Joining the Freewills 
& then you ask my advice 
William I Suppose that it is a good 
thing to be established in the truth 
& not to be carried about by every wind 
of doctrine by the Slight of cunning 
men but if you do not feel at home 
in the old church & do not feel interest 
there & will feel at Home & interested 
 ly 
in the new church  . Then it is obvious^ 
your duty to go where you are at home 
& interested   I often think that Some 
people are to much of a Sectarian Spirit 
why Should those that claim to be 
Christian discard each other because they 
differ in opinion on Some minor respects 
William I hope this will find you all 
in the enjoyment of Health 
it is all rite about those logs 
you need not worry about the pay 
for I guess the Woman has some 
money yet    We expect to hear of 
Stirring events from the Army 
of the Potomac Soon let us hope 
that this war will Soon come 
to an end & the Soldier be perm 
ited to return to his Home & friends 
let us hope & trust in God 
I will bring my letter to a Close 
by bidding you Good Bye 
From your Brother 
James Lickly 
 
To Wm Lickly