John David McGeachy enlisted in the Scotch Tigers (Co. D, 51st Regiment North Carolina Troops) on April 26, 1862. The 20-year-old farmer had served in the militia, probably the 59th, the previous year. He remined with the regiment until Company D went home on April 25, 1865. McGeachy was not wounded during the war, but he suffered from various diseases during his enlistment, including mumps, malaria, the “itch”, dysentery, and an eye infection.
Most of the letters McGeachy wrote during the war were to his oldest sister, Kate. The original letters are part of the Catherine McGeachy Buie Papers, Rubenstein Library, Duke University. Images are available as part of an online exhibit of the Buie papers. The numbers in bold preceding each letter indicate the folder and image(s) in the online exhibit.
NOTE: These transcripts are heavily edited versions of the original documents. Most misspellings have been corrected, punctuation has been added, and the page layout has been altered to improve readability. Transcripts by Kirk Ward.
Folder 1859-1861/Images 265-266
Wilmington NC, November 3, 1861
Dear Sister, I am now in Wilmington and there is not as much excitement here as in Robeson, no Yankees nearer than Va that we know of. We have the best quarters that the city affords. We are in the theater, and I am laying on the orchestra, trying to think of something to write.
O, it was so glorious riding on the cars, all Robeson and Bladen on the train. Company A [probably 59th Militia] rode next to the engine in an open car, and we were a red-eyed set, that’s certain. The train was so long that Company A could not see the hindmost ones cheer the ladies that we passed, and every now and again we would pass some and some of them were beautiful. Several bunches of flowers were thrown to Company A, but I was not the lucky one, and little strips of paper were on them telling us to “Defend the soil they grew on.” Every one we would pass, we hurrah and wave our hats and they handkerchiefs, all except some ugly ones that we passed in Bladen. They enjoyed “whirring over mountain, buzzing over the vale.”
We arrived in Wilmington after dark and were sent here this morning. We had prayer by Mr. Calwell. I could not go to church this morning. I was on guard from 8 till 3.
I don’t know what to believe here. I just heard that we were going to dismissed now, but I don’t believe that for the train does not go up till Tuesday. If we stay here till tomorrow, D. Malloy, D. J. McMillan, John Calwell, J. B. McM. and me will pay a visit to Camp Wyatt to see the Scotch Boys. I expect to be home before this letter, but I will send it and when I get there I will give you the news in full. My love to all.
Your brother,
J. D. McGeachy
P. S. D. Little has just got the latest news and reports nothing much. The fleet is destined for Charleston, SC they think
1862/61-64
The Camp Examiner May 15th 1862
Dear Sister
I sent a letter home on yesterday, not that I was anxious, so to speak, to hear from home but I wished to send that piece and I had lots of things to write about yesterday morning. Sixteen of our men were sent out on picket guard to meet the Yankees that report says are landing on our coast. But I expect it was all a sham. In the evening it was raining, and we were to have no dress parade. We not thinking anything, the Sergeant came round and said the Yankees were close by us and put on another guard, telling us at the same time to put everything in readiness to march at a moments warning. Then, in less than no time, the drums began to roll, the Capt to shout, and we to [?] our guns. Such a time you never saw. Then we double quicked out to the Parade ground and then back the same way and that was the last of our fight.
Camp Davis May 18th. Dear sister, since I wrote the above I have been put through. On the 16th I was sent out to clear up a new campground. We shouldered axes and picks, marched three miles and then went to work. Now I don’t know that I ought to tell but as it is, sister. I reckon I will. We come in the rear of the 11th Regt and they told us to go to work and of all the Shit you never didn’t see. Twas there in long piles and short ones, high ones, flat and not so very pleasant to the smell. There we worked about 3 hours and we were ordered to quit and we came to the right of the 11th in a very nice place, all except Co. D. It is in the sink and Capt D charged round and sweared a little bit. I have got to go on guard and I feel tired now and I stop for the present.
19th I am now just from standing guard and I am one tired fell[ow]. Sister, it is a long time since I commenced this letter and my eyes are feeling salty. The guard has 8 hours to walk and rest 16 in 24. We are now in 50 yards of the place where Burnside reigns but I don’t think he will come out here for anyone unless he will come after the Tigers. Oh, it is so nice to stand and look far away across the deep blue sea. If I had Kate there to show her all things that I see, I could enjoy it much better, but as you are not here, I enjoy it to the best advantage.
Dear Katerson, I don’t believe I ever wrote such a letter. I did not start it right and all through is nought but mistakes. You know that if I could hear from home every day, I would not think it too often. But I don’t know how to write a letter. If you could see all the things that I have, you would write forever or till you would write up all the paper in the South.
[Poem – “To Mother Dear”]
This is what keeps me awake when I walk my post at night. Dear sister, tell Ma that I hardly know that I am in the war. It just appears like a big muster at Lumber Bridge, so many of my comrades here. In camp is a poor place to write. You may defend so much fuss in your ears. Tell Bob and Crack that they don’t know how to work. So Good-bye. Heaven will protect the humble. The Warrior Bud
1862/83-84
Wilmington N. C. May 25th 1862
Miss Kate McGeachy
Dear sister
Your kind and encouraging letter was received yesterday and I now seat myself to acknowledge and give you all the news. We are now earning our [?] bounty [?] miles below Wilmington on the bank of the river mounting cannon. It was last Wednesday that we came here and we have been working just as hard as we could ever since. Wednesday about 2 o’clock we received orders to come to this place, from 3 o’clock till 8 we walked 15 miles. I was just able to [?] and that was all. Then next day we set to work hauling them cannon [?___] [entire line illegible] about the same. It made us [?] right [?] 2 in No taking us two days. We then set to dig the pits to put them in. We work one half an hour and rest one, the company being divided into three reliefs and it is between the times that I am writing to you. It is nothing to do but is confining, that is all. It is just dig a while and then rest.
Dear Sister, it was yesterday that I seen a little boy that was drowned. He was found by the river about one hundred yards below here. He looked to be between the ages of 7 and 8. His face was all bruised and bloody. The tide had washed him on the bank and he lay there with his arms folded up as if he had been laid off. The man that lives here said that he was the third in the last three months.
Dear sister, we drew our uniforms this morning that the [?] to sin. I drawed my gun on Sunday and then my uniform and [?]. I am hard at work but it is, the officers say, a necessity and I don’t care. I don’t think it is any sin on one for a uniform. I have drawn a coat, cap, pants, one shirt collared, one pair of drawers and a pair of shoes. I think that I will send some of my clothes home for I can’t carry them that I had to carry the other evening was just as much as I wanted to carry.
I am just as happy and contented as you could expect John David to be off from home. Tell mother that as soon as I can get to go to town I will send her my likeness but it [is] a hard chance to get a permit. They rarely been granted.
The bank does not look like Sunday. There is three boats in the river now putting the blockade across. It is a large chain made to float by sticks of timber. I could not raise one link of the chain.
I am sorry to say that I have not written to Uncle Sandy yet. S J Cobb, A M Currie, J McMillan have gone to [?]. They have gone with a boat load of commissary stores. Write soon and give me all the news.
Your Bud, J D McGeachy
1862/99-100
Camp Lazaretto Near Wilmington NC June 11th 1862
Dear sister,
Your very kind letter came to hand the other day Some time ago, I know not when. Very proud to hear from home again and to know that everything was coming along. So finally I must report that I have been on the sick list ever since then. I had the sore eyes for four days and measles. I suffered very much and even now I can not open one of them yet. Have to keep my kerchief tied round it to keep the light away from it. It does not pain me any now but it is inflamed very bad yet. I know something about how bad Flora suffered now. I can freely sympathize with her. Thank it is all over now.
A. Brown come from the hospital yesterday evening and today the Capt gave him a discharge from the service if the Col and Genl will sign it for him. He will be free from the war. [Archibald Brown was discharged on June 21, 1862. He reenlisted in Company D on March 3, 1863 and served until the end of the war.]
We were to get our pay yesterday but as the boys say, pay in promises, ever since we came to this place. We only work at the rate of 20 cts a day. When we first began we worked as if we worked for our country but we found that would not pay and we got only 20 cts. We work enough to keep us in good health.
Our boys are not much sick now, only mumps. I think that is all the disease that is in the camp at this time. I believe that in the morning I will be on the mumps list
Oh, yes, Katerson, I make poetry lots in camp. One Sunday I went off to a man’s house near here and sent three columns to Cousin Dr. Malloy, pretty bold for me, was it not, asking him to be my correspondent, and I sent some to Carrie and Some to Calvin and I am playing [?] with my book.
Capt McDonald intends to try to get charge of one of these battery here as we live so nice here. We get bacon aplenty and get good beef some times, not too much to gorge. We get dried peas, collards. We had a mess of them today. Gets [?] and [?], gun barrels the boys call them.
12th Yesterday evening I had to drop my pen to go to see to Dr. and I could not finish so I will give it a fire today. [?] Carrie and Calvin Conaly came to the camp yesterday evening bringing me another letter. Tell Ma that I would be glad to get a letter from her. Tell her that I have 3 dollars, Some Postage stamp and no poor kin making 25 cts per day extra. Tell Crack I am glad to hear he has remembered me. Tell him he must make the grass git while I make the Yankees git.
My box is in town. I do not know when I will get it but I hope I will get it today. I have got the mumps certain. I think I will write to Miss Kate and Mag Some Day. I keep my courage up by thinking of my sister. Your Bud J. D. McGeachy
1862/113-116
Wilmington N. C. June 28th 1862
Dear Mother
I do expect that you are afraid about her Warrior Son but you must not be for I am getting along fery well now. I am not well but I am not sick much now. This is the last letter that I will send to Ma for 5 cts and to have to write on this small paper and pay 10 cts. will not pay to have any sweethearts then to write to. But you may believe that I will write home.
I thought that I was going to have an attack of the fever but it was not anything but the mumps that they got too low down. But they are nearly alright again.
Dear Ma, I have some good news for you, a British Vessel came under the guns of Fort Caswell after running the blockade. It is in about ¾ of a mile of the fort and some men went down yesterday to relieve it. It is loaded with guns and powder. I expect you heard the guns firing the other morning. The Tigers thought they were going to be in a fight then but they missed going to see the fort this time.
I have another good thing to tell you. The [other] day an old cow came to Camp to see how we sick men were getting, and Hugh Dallas gave her some meal and milked her and gave me a bowl of milk and rice and it was the best thing that I got to eat since I came to camp.
Dear Ma, we have hard times in Camp now for want of soap, it is in Wilmington now, 1.10 cts a bar. Every man got for his share, a piece about an inch long and an half broad. So that is all they will get to wash two suit of clothes when it is not enough for to wash their faces for a few times. If I thought that it would stay so long I would tell Ma to make me some Lard Soap, but I am in hopes that it will soon change.
The Yankees got a good whipping at Richmond, so we heard, and they could see the smoke of their stores as far as they could see but they start so many things in Camp. But it came on a slip of paper.
Ma, is it not a good deal of trouble to you to send me so many boxes. Have you got my clothes yet? I sent them with Will Johnson. I have more clothes than I can carry, I expect. I believe I have told you all. Warrior Son
1862/125-126
Wilmington, N. C. Aug 3d 1862
Dear Sister
Once again I take my pen to answer a kind and cheering letter from my own sister Kate. It is the sabbath morning and I am sinning if it is a sin to write. Happy am I to inform you that I am enjoying good health at the present and I hope these lines may find you in the enjoyment of the same.
News. I believe I have none of that article, only Camp news which is not to be relied on every time. The rumor is now that 15 of Burnsides fleet are in sight of Fort Caswell. I know not how true it is but if it is true, the Scotch Tigers are ready for them. We are well armed now 30 Enfield Rifles and 56 cadet muskets. I am one that has a cadet. Although men brag so much on the rifle our little cadet beats them every time and they are the very thing to drill with.
I should suppose if you heard that we were gone to Goldsboro and did not hear the order was countermanded you was one of them that was scheered. You ought to seen how happy the boys were but when we ordered not to go some were mad and some glad. As for me, I wish we had got to go. The 11th Regt went and just come back the next train and got all the ride for nothing.
Our Regt is back at Smithville again. They say that is a beautiful place. I would like to go and see it, too.
W J McMillan, T L Wallace and your humble servant are making cartridges for the last week for the cadet muskets. Some 1600 with the balls in – mistake 550 completed. We will get done Monday or Tuesday.
D Little is going home Tuesday and I intend to send this letter with him if I can get it to town. We have got all our bounty at last. I will some more to Ma.
The other day I paid out ten dollars for salt. I did not know what to do. I thought to write home about it but I thought if I would I might stand a chance of being cut out. I did not know that you had done any thing about it so I thought I would go in but perhaps you have made some other arrangement. If you have, I can sell my interest to some one else.
You spoke something about a box you intended to send with Hugh McGoogan. I don’t know of anything that I want but fruit. All other things spoil so soon before or very soon after they get here. I want to see the one that Cousin Harriet will send to me just to see what will be in it.
Ha Ha Ha. I told you so. Did he “I really do declare?” I would be much pleased if the men at home would not try to undermine the Soldier in that way.
Dear Sister, I am so sorry to inform you that Sergt McKenzie is hurt in pulling a stick up on the fort. It caught his foot. He was carried to the Hospital and four men detailed to bathe his foot for three hours. None of the bones were broken and he is improving fast. He sends back to the Dixie girls his best love and wishes but could not sing the song. He is the very boy that eat your grapes, he remembers all about it.
Our company is very healthy at present. J A Conley is sick but is, I think, improving. McCormick is very bad off, both with fever. Me and G L make rings out of hair and we can sell them for 25 cents for two nearly as fast as we can make them.
I want to send a letter to Cousin Pat today if I feel smart enough to write it. I believe I have told you all I have to say for the present. So I will close my remarks by saying write soon to the Soldier boy. Your Bud, J D McGeachy
[Across left margin of first page]
Kate, Miss Mary Ann sent a reply and I sent another telling her if she did so again I would sign my name. What think Ye?
1862/135-136
Wilmington Aug 14 1862
Camp McDonald
Dear Sister
After a long delay, Bud has seated himself to answer a messenger so kind from his sister Kate. This will your informant be that this leaves me in good health. I have no news of importance to state. Everything appears to be quiet now, no war news stirring now.
You spoke about Malloy Patterson. He is no kin to any of our kin. I am very well acquainted with him and find him to be a very kind fellow. He is an excellent Scholar. He is sick now but not very bad off, able to come over to camp.
Dear sister, you spoke something about Ma’s coming to camp. Upon my honor, I do not know what to say. You may rest assured that I want to see her. In camp, a woman is a strange sight. I’ll tell you what would be good plan for Ma to get some others with her and I would be glad to see some others with her and we could accommodate them. I think that some others would like to know how their boys lives in camp. The boys are all contented and happy.
Dear sister, you spoke about A. McKinnon sending for some bags. I got some from the commissary [?] and he told me that if he would have to pay for them, he would look to me for it but he said that he did not think that I would have to pay for them. I believe that you will get the salt soon. I think the families of the soldiers are to supply first. My La, what writing, the most mistakes I believe in it that I ever made.
One thing about coming to camp is that a woman is watched like a snake and talked about more than they ought to be. It don’t stop our boys to see a lady, some of them try how rude they can be, but if Ma wants to come, do not let this stop her.
We are still at work at Fort French. We got all the wood work done and are digging the magazine but you need not think we are most done for they can find work for us here at Christmas if we stay here.
Dear sister, should this arrive before Hugh McGougan leaves send me, if not too much waste, some green corn. Some three or four ears will be enough.
Dear sister, I believe I have told you all the news that I have. And I don’t believe I can fill out this sheet. I will close by telling you to keep me posted on the things that pass about home, and I will try to do the same from Camp. Miss Mary Ann did answer and I am duty bound to sign my name Sartor loving. My best love to all. So good bye
Your Bud, J D McGeachy
1862/143-144
Wilmington N. C. Aug 28th 1862
Dear Sister
Once again have I taken the pen to acknowledge the reception of your letter per Hugh McGoogan which found me enjoying good health, ever thankful to the giver. Dear sister, I have no news to tell that is to be relied upon. I heard the Stonewall has whipped Pope again, never heard any of the particulars.
G. G. Currie has gone back to the Hospital again. I fear that it will not be as light with him this time as it was before. Gib Little is nearly well; he is on duty. Jim was sick but not bad off and I went to cook in his place. Me and Frank are the cooks now, splendid cooks, too that.
I was in town yesterday looking for Ma. I thought that she would come anyhow. D McG said his was coming and I thought mine would come, too. I wish we had told them to come then. I will see D McG and we will set another time for them to come and I will put it in this letter. He is over at the battery.
Who do you think I was with all day in town yesterday? Dr. Hughes, he came to camp with us last night, had a very pleasant time talking over things that past and gone.
Just about the time I was going to start out of town, the Maj. came to me and gave me his horse and sent me to camp after the pay rolls and after I got back into town, I went to see the Panorama. Perhaps you’ll know what I mean. I seen some things that was truly interesting. I seen the Battle of Manassas. I wish that you could see it so you would have some idea of how a battle is carried on. It is the strangest thing I ever saw, a wounded soldier parting with his horse was very touching but if you had seen an old negro after a hog or fighting a yankee, you would have split your sides.
Dear sister, I have not wrote to Cousin Rod yet but I want to do so this evening if I have time. I expect that he was in the late reported battle. If so, I hope that he has come out safe. I was very sorry to hear of Cousin Janet’s death but I hope that she now reaps the reward of all her trials in a brighter world where sorrow is no more.
The day when we boys will get furloughs to go home to see those we dearly love is far off yet, but dear sister do not repine some time or other. I will get to go home to see you. I seen A McKinnon yesterday. He told me to tell you that our salt was in Fayetteville at Orrells. You can go after it any time. I did not say anything to him about [?] for I thought Cousin John B was going to take him, but I will send some word to him Saturday next. I think myself that it will be too little to depend upon, i. e. 3 1/3 [?].
[four-line poem]
Dear sister, tell Ma for her and Mrs. Currie to set their own time and they can send us word when to meet them in Wilmington and it will be all right. John David McGeachy, your Brother who loves Kate and Sisters
1862/175-176
Camp Campbell Oct 14th 1862
Dear sister
In camp once more with the Tigers. I found the boys at this camp. They had come the night before me and Jim came with all. We had a very fine trip to Camp in the stage, is very bad riding but we got to Raleigh right side up after a good deal of fun. We were going along and first thing we knew, the stage was laying on its side. If you ever seen getting out on a little hole, that was one time it was done. Jim got his nose skinned and wrist but I come off unhurt. Lieut. Hartman got his hand hurt some. None dangerous. It run over my canteen and put an end to that. I hung it on a tree to show to future ages the place where the thing happened. We set it up again and went on to Raleigh, got there about daylight and had to stay there all day. We went to the hospital and had the pleasure of learning that Gib had gone to Camp. I seen McDougald and Hair. Calvin Musselwhite was there, but I did not see him.
I went through the Capitol but did not see anything. It is a very fine building. I seen Washington standing out before the door with all his dignity from pictures. I think it is a very good statue.
We had to stay at the depot all day for fear some one would take our things. I had the misfortune to lose my knife in the stage as I was coming to Camp. Please send me my other one by Gib Currie if you can.
The boys are all in good spirits. They are sorry they had to leave Core Creek. They got plenty to eat. Just take their guns and go and take it. Kill hogs and cows anytime they wanted and go and take potatoes. The people say they would rather we would have it than the Yankees. Just so the Yankees do not get them, it is all right.
We had a fine time after we left Raleigh, riding on the cars. It was so nice after being on the old stage to go flying so fast. I found the boys all as clever as ever. Every time I think of the old stage turning over, I have to laugh.
I believe this is all I have to say. I remain your Brother,
J D McGeachy
1862/185-186
Kinston, N. C. Nov 2nd 1862
Dear Sister,
I hasten to answer your letter which was received some few days ago. I am now about three miles below Kinston at a place, I do not know the name of the camp yet. It is not as good a place as the one we left. Since I wrote we were sent to Kinston one night about three o’clock, got there about breakfast time, and stayed till that evening when we started back to Camp Campbell. Had to walk all the way, did not carry our knapsacks, nothing but our blankets. The first time I took a stroll through town to see the place and one thing did surprise me. I seen Miss Mary E McKinnon or rather her likeness. It looked so natural that I could not help looking at it a long time, but it could not say anything to me. I seen Revs McPherson & McLean. I then stayed in the old field all the rest of the time.
We then went back to Camp Campbell where we stayed some days before we started back for Kinston again. We sat on the cars and got to Kinston that night. It appears I have to do all my traveling in the night. Then we went out of town about a mile and camped without tents. I was lonely that most all my tentmates were left at the old camp, all but Gib Little. He was on guard at Kinston but now but now I have Gib and R M Currie. He is not well yet. His foot is swelled some yet but he can walk without his crutches now.
Frank Little, Jim, Frank Currie, Daniel & A M Currie, S J Cobb, S P Klarpp, and Hair have all gone to Raleigh with the itch. I did not go myself, although I feel it sometimes, but I will not say anything about that.
When we got to the place to stay the Sergt (Boon) asked me to sleep with him, so I slept very well. I then come to this place Saturday morning and stayed all day till late in the evening. Our tents come, then pitch our tents and this morning we had to clear up our streets and ditch them. It was just this day twelve months ago I got to Wilmington with the Militia. I have seen a thing or two since then. This is not a very nice place but it will do. There is about 500 negroes down here at work throwing up embankments. Had to work all day today. All our men have come back.
I got a letter from Cousin Carrie. Sergt McRae brought a box that weighed 550 lbs, pretty good for one man. Dear Sister, I will bring this to a close. I will send you some verses to read. I am well and still contented. Your Brother, J. D. McGeachy
1862/187-188
Camp Allen Near Kinston N. C., Nov 14th 1862
Dear Sister
Once again my pen I take to inform you that I am well, Hoping these may find you all in the enjoyment of the same blessing. Since I wrote you last I have been put through. I have almost been in a battle. The cavalry had a pretty sharp fight and one piece of Artillery. I do not think that anyone was killed on our side. Some 12 on the other side. Our men did not get any prisoners but they got lots of plunder. They took some coffee, tobacco, axes, and tools of all sorts and they took ladies under clothes, cheese, seed oats, and a small horse.
We left this camp on the 3rd of this month and got back on the 13th. We slept in tents one night in that time. We traveled in that time 150 miles, some part of way was over our shoes in mud. The night of the 3rd we left camp and traveled some 12 miles. We started next morning, came that day to Trenton. Next day ten from every company volunteered to go on a scout. I was one. We went that day down within 8 miles of Newbern, 12 miles from Trenton. We went out in the bushes and sat down to wait till the Yankees would come along. Our pickets went out and tried to make them follow but they did not. We then went back to camp, got there Saturday and Sunday we started back on the same road we went before.
We had the 8th Regt, 10th, 31st, 51st all in row and Starr’s Battery and Buncombe’s. We went down that time within 8 miles of the Yankees. There was about 200 Yankee cavalry at the place. The Infantry got there too late to got a fire. We went through the woods and then tried to flank them but we did not exceed. They fled, cut down the bridge. We then started back and came here last night just as tired and sore as men could be.
Dear sister, I have received my things all right. My shoes fit to a fraction but my hat is too large. I got a neck comfort when Angus Wilks come back.
“Oh I am so glad Yankees didn’t get you” and she told me to answer her letter, put it on the inside of the paper. She put my name on and I like a gooth went and done it. That gal that kissed my likeness and said so much. You now how to believe all things she says. If she was the last I would be out sure. I was not afraid when going on them Yankees.
Dear Sister, I I believe I have told you all the news. All the houses between Trenton and Newbern are burnt to ashes. It looks so bad to see the chimneys standing there and the houses in ashes. Believe me as ever. Your faithful Brother, John D McGeachy
1862/203-204
Camp Whiting Wilmington N.C., Dec 5th 1862
Dear Sister
Yesterday brought one another letter from you. I was glad to hear that you all were well and enjoying yourselves so well. This will inform you that I am well. I have no news this time. I expect that you have heard long ere this that W H Fowler lost his hand. He is to be sent home soon. The boys are talking of raising a subscription list to give him a start but I do not know whether they will do it or not. I think they should.
I got Ma’s letter after I come to Wilmington. I thought that the boys would be back today, and I thought I would not write till then but they did not come. I am glad to know they have got more time to stay at home.
I am glad to know that Dan has got his discharge, and I would be glad to see Rod down here. I have not seen Cousin John B yet. I do not know where he stays. I would like to go down on the sounds to see things, but I do not expect that I could get a pass to go, things are so strict.
Daniel McCoulskey [Co. H] I have been with him several times. I was on guard with him last night. I find him to be a very fine fellow. He has a nose and eyes just like Aunt Sallie. He told me that he was going home today. He did not say how long he was going to stay.
Dear sister, you may send me that blanket fixed up as Ma said and a shirt. I want some socks, too. I have not got but one pair and I believe that I can wear out a pair in one week and that will be as much as I can carry. I would like to have another pair of pants, but I can’t carry them.
Cousin Em and Charlie is down here now. But I have not seen them yet. The capt told me I could get a pass to day. It is raining today, and it rained all last night.
We have not very many sick men now. The Regt had to go up into town yesterday to dig batterys. They are digging one right through the town in one of the streets. It would have to go today, only it is raining.
Dear sister, I believe I have told you all the news that I can think of, so I will close. Write soon and tell me all news of interest. Your Bud
John D. McGeachy
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