[Written upside down on a slant on top of Scan 1]

write often I beleive I have
answerd all the letters I
have received & more to

[Written on top left hand side of Scan 1]

them Hearts ware mighty
nice they got broke but I
could see how they looked
O.C.G

	Camp Minty
		May 1st /63

	I received two letters
from you yesterdy and as I
have a little spare time will 
write you a few lines I guess you
had better burn up the last
letter I wrote to you had the
blues a little when I wrote
it I guess burn it up I dont 
want to hear anything about
it          we have been so buysy
lately that I have not had
much time to write we come
in from a seven day scout
stayd in on night and then 
went on picket I just as
lives be out of camp as in
now the wether has got pleasant
I come in of from picket

yesterday we had been in a few
minuits when the Captain come
around with the order to strike tents
& be ready to move in
fifteen minuets you better beleive
thare was some scratching &
the tents come down in a hurry
we got all ready to move
then we ware orderd to pitch
tents on our old ground
so we went at it they
furnish us new tents they call
them dog tents and they are
rightly named for they are onley
big enough for two to sleep
under you can sit up straight
by getting in the midle they are
just this shape ˄ that is the shape
of the end they make a very
good shelter from the sun & rain
and when we move we can 
pack them on our horses
& have a tent with us all
the time

I dont know as I can write
you much war news I suppose
you will see an acount
		      Mcminnville
of our last scout to ^ in the
papers it was under the comand
of Gens Reynold & Minty our
[reg..?] & the 7 Penn.. went a-
head the Rebles run without
fireing a gun we done them
more damage than we have
done before on any Scout
we went into the town on
a dead run thare was a little 
circumstance hapend just before
we enterd the town that waked
up the boys mighty thare was
three young ladies com runing
out from a large white house
& just as we got even with
them they unroled a large
Flag the stars & strips such
a shout as went up from our
regiment you dont hear very
often I guess they ware glad to se us
we ware glad to see the Flag

we burnt up a goodeal of property
I know I worked darnd hard
burning the railroad Bridge
and tearing up the track
this tearing up a railroad track
you better beleive is hard work
this is the first I ever done
at it & I guess if the rebles did
	     work
not like to ^ any better than Ido
they would not do so much at
it we worcked at it till after
darck & then layd down on the
ground for the night it raind
all night but we was tired
enough to sleep for we had
riden over 40 miles & done some
hard work besides.        your sayd
your Father wanted I should help Gust
get a furlough I would help him if I
could but thare is so many scick ones
that are trying that he cant get one thare
is hundreds of men here that have
come down here after some scick
Friend but they cant get a furlough
without they are very bad of I have just
heard from Gust he has got a good-
eal better is actting as nurse now
in the Hospital & I guess he will be
back to his Company in a few days
Give my best respects to all enquiring
Friends (I beleive I am one of them
	    Copper heads)     Yours Truly
	(but I dont call myself a trator)  Othniel