[Written sideways on top of Scan 1]

I guess you had
the Blues a little
when you wrote the
last letter to me
well I have them some
times but dont calculate
to much I am getting
very carles about writing
It shall get so pretty
soon that I shat want
to write at all one thing
that has made me so
is on the account of our
mail being so irregular
about coming we dont
get it once a week
lately write a little
longer letters pleas do
        yours Truly Othniel

     Camp Stanley nere
			           1864
	[Doltawah?] Tenn Feb 22d
     Lucy
		Once more I take my
pen to write you a few lines
the 20th I received the last letter
it found me all right and
trying to be contented but that
aint so easy a mater whare one
dont like soldiering any better than
I do the last that I wrote to you
was from Rossville we have been
here a little over a week have
very comfertable quarters have a fire
place in my tent this is the 4th

time I have fixed up winters quarters
and it is about time to move
again a part of our regiment
are out on a scout now I
did not go for thare was only
a detail called for we have
been out on a number scouts since
we came here I beleive I mentiond
one scout we had just before we
moved here have not had anny
sharper time since we had some
fun the other morning when we
run in on to their pickets we
caught some of them in bed
one of them raised up and
cooly drawing on his Boots says
Boys youve got me this time
just beyond their post was a
house as our Boys ware going by
a first rate looking Girl come
to the door one of the Boys
calls out you did not expect
the Yanks.. so early no said

she with a shake of the head
such as only a Girl can Give
and you aint a going to stay
long eather (she was a little [tinctured?]
I guess) (the one that asked this
question
^ turned cooly around to the other
Boys and said she rather got me
that time) you better beleive he
got laughed at for his trouble
it was but a little after
daylight and we had to soon
be making our way back to
camp for thare was a large force
of Rebles nere us well we got
back to camp all right
I guess I wont tell you that
we have not had much rations
lately but we are getting used to
                                 make
that.    I guess it will ^ good Boys
of us dont beleive we shall
compalin much with what we
		               Home
have to eat when we get ^ thare
we'll see if we ever get thare    Othniel