[Written upside down on top of Scan 1]

Miss, Sarah. Marsh
Oh Dear Sister Please excuse me this time 
I will try to write you a good long letter 
soon. I would this time but 
}I have not got the Paper. I 
} expect some from a friend of 
min here in the Company. Now Now Sarah Please dont feel hard 
towards me but except this with the love of your ever true 
and affectionate Brother B. Frank. Marsh.}
}Remember me in
}      [Lieu?] Sister

	[End]

Head Quarters Company G 8th Mich. V. V. I.
Petersburg, Virginia
July 10th 1864
Dear Mother and Sister I am happy to say
the present date finds me in quite good health. I am getting so 
I begin to feel like Old (Frank) again. I am with my Company 
doing Night Duty so I can lay in the shade during the hot 
sun and at night come out feeling quite fine
You wrote in your last about my getting a Furlough to come 
Home. I should like very well to come Home but Mother 
I first want to see how things are going to turn out down 
here now for I have been all through everything so far 
which has been the hardest [crossed out] [and] I think and now
I want to see how things are going to run here! The _
weather is [crossed out] [all] very warm here but we don't have much
to do. only lay in the shade and watch for the 
Johnies to see if they keep their heads down below their 
Pitts if they are to bold we send a dispatch over to 
them in the shape of a musket Ball; I was on duty
last night untill twelve O Clock (.M.) which was the 
first duty I have done in nearly six weeks. but I feel 
real Smart. or good. I cannot say as I ever was 
smart. but Mother don1t worry about me I am
doing well just content yourself as well as you can
and take good care of your Health don't work to hard
let Sarah do the Work. I hope that I will get some money 
soon so I can send you some for I know you must 

need some by this time but it is impossible for me 
to get a penny here untill Uncle Sam sends his 
Greenbacks around for the Boys that are oweing me
are as hard up as I am, I dont know but they will
refuse to pay us again next Payday and if they do here is 
one that will spike my gun and tell them to do their own 
duty for they can't compell a man to do duty when 
they refuse to pay them. Well Mother I have only thirteen months 
from yesterday to serve at the most as I am not a V. V. 
and there is some prospects of our getting out the 23rd
of September when the Regts time is out but there is not any 
thing certain about it yet but if there is any chance for [us?]
we will get out for Our Lieut (Col.) and most of the Officers 
are going to go home then and (Col) will do all he [can for?]
us I know. he is such a Father to us all well the 23rd will 
soon come and then we will know how the thing is.
Oh, dear me, Mother the mail has just come and I did 
not get anything from Home. but I recd a short line 
from Clark. Dibble he is at Mount. Pleasant 
Hospital Tent .26. Washington D. C. he is getting 
along fine his Wound is in the right Shoulder! 
If you see Joe's folks tell them to direct as above for 
I am receiving letters for him every few days mailed
to the Regt which he will not get untill they are remailed 
but I must close and make this half sheet do for this
time as it is nearly all I have got. so you will please excuse 
a half sheet, and as I have not written to Mr. Carnes yet
I will put a short note in this to him for I am nearly out 
of paper and stamps. Your affectionate Son Frank. In turn 
please take care of it { Please write soon.

[Written on the right side and top of Scan 2]

Well I have billed this without writing any to Sarah I am 
afraid she will be offended tell her to forgive me.

[Written very small on lower left side of Scan 2]

I send you Jeff [to words illegible] Augustus sent it me

Mrs. H.J. Holmes!!
Fentonville
Michigan!!