Newport News Va.
		March 5th 1863
	Dear Mother as I am
not on drill this after noon
I will try to write you a few
lines I am well with the
asceptions of the tooth ache I
have had it all day pretty hard
it is the old roots of my
back teeth I am getting along
first rate now adays
I received a letter from Alvah
yesterday he is well their Regt is
at Falmath yet. whare they wer
when we left the old camp
I have answered his.
	Well now the mail has come
again and brings me another
letter it is from Uncle George. B
they are all well also Mr Marys
folks they live on the same place

they did when you was out there
I guess I shall write them a letter as soon as I get time
	Now Mother how goes the
draft around home I guess
there is some Scadaddleing about
now around Old F.
how does Mike Ayers and F.H.
stand it have they paid another
visit to Old Canida. we had
a specimen of the draft come to
the Regt today thare was eleven
got here to day. they started
with a squad of [88?] men
and only got 44 through to the
different Regts. the rest of them
sliped away and left I think
they are foolish they might better
come down here whar it is
warm weather as for my part
I like it here very well

  Well Mother, I am so glad I
did not wait for the draft
I am perfectly content here
   Oh dear my teeth ache so hard
I cant help write so mother you
must excuse my poor writing
and short letter and I will try
it again some day. I hope I
shall get another litter from you
soon tell Sarah I am looking
for one from her every mail
     I will write to her soon
as for my likeness I cant get
one taken here but if thare
is any place around here after
we get our pay I will try to
get it for you we expect our
pay in a few days. but may 
not get it in a month yet
well my teeth ache to hard
to write so I will Bid you
Good Bye from your son B.F. Marsh

[Written on side of Scan 3]
now do write often one and all and I will do the same