[Written sideways on left side of Scan 1]

Soldiers Letter
8th Mich Inf.
R E[tg?] [illegible] 8 Mich

[End]

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

PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA
July 27th   Sunday Evening 8.. O.Clock

My Dear Mother I am happy to say 
the presant evening finds me feeling quite smart. I suppose 
you will be anxiously looking for a note from me 
by the time this reaches you although it is but a 
few days since I wrote to Sarah, stating that 
I was in quite poor health. I remain about the 
same yet I am not real sick and I am not 
able to do duty it seems to be the affects of 
my being Sunstruck! I will try to tell you something 
how I am troubled. I have a constant pain in 
my head which does not seem to be confined 
to any portion of the head sometimes it 
is hardest in some places than others but 
mostly all through my head. with a diziness
when I walk around and if I am in the hot 
Sun any length of time I get blind! 
then with that I have a steady pain in my back just above 
the hips. which troubles me greatly about sleeping 
nights I can't rest when I lay down I sleep bolstered up! and what 
do you think with. it is not a chair as we commonly use at 
Home. but it is the roots of a big. Gum Tree, I am taking
[illegible] from Dr Fox now which I think is helping me
some. I think it a chance if I get able for to go into
the ranks again as long as this warm weather 

[Written upside down on top of Scan 3]

Address the same as before for I am at
the Regts Hospital

	[End]

lasts but if I don't get any worse I shall think myself
very lucky. I told Sarah in my last that I was almost 
out of writing Paper and Envelopes but I have found a 
friend who furnished me with some so I guess I will 
get along now. but I am out of stamps so I shall be obliged
to send this without. I expect some from Alvah soon 
if he has got his Pay.
       Our Captain came back to us 
this A. M. he was Wounded in the Arm at Grave Church
he looks healthy but still carries his arm in a sling 
he has been permoted to Major since he left.
so Company G has lost their Captain. Horatio. Belcher
but I guess we will get along just as well. as he is 
Major he will have more influence in the Regt. 
and perhaps it will be better for us,
So for the matters here at the front everything is going on about thee
same. with very small loss on either side. We are at work all 
the time building forts and planting heavy guns and preparing
for a long Siege! Well Mother I will hasten to close as my
candle is nearly out. I had a presant this P. M. of a can of 
Milk Oh wont I have a good cup of tea for breakfast we 
get tea and Crackers when Sleepy Pete get around he is 
slower than Death to a Nigger, Now dont Worry about me
I shall look out for No. 1 ONE every time (ast
I wish you could send me a little Delicate Breakf-
Say a good dish of Potatoes ham and Eggs a Baked 
Pudding. Chicken Pie, [etc. etc.?] then some good mince 
Pie or Pumpkin Pie to finish. Now don't you think 
I am sick. I guess you would if I should stop with 
you one Week. You would have to go to Uncle Sam 
for Rations.Yes indeed you would.
Now write soon and give me 
all the particulars from F. have those Photo men
left yet that took my Pictures. Your Affectionate Son
B. F. Marsh