The second letter written by John H. J. Knowles was written on June 13, 1862 from Richmond, Virginia.
I have retained the actual spelling and capitalization, but have added some punctuation at the end of sentences and spacing for paragraphs to make the letter easier to read.
Richmond virginia June 13 1862
Dear Margaret I take my pen in hand to inform you that my helth is some Better today than comon tho I have got the mumps. But they have not hurt me much yet and I hope they will n[page torn]. [illegible] inform you that I am. I have a [page torn] my self & Dr folks and about seventy of our rigment is hear. I should not bin hear if it had not bin for the Dr folks he wanted me to stay with him. I have not taken eny meddison sence I bin in hear.
our rigment was ordered to old stone wall Jackson last Sunday which is about two hundred [illegible line – fold in the paper]. was very sick I was Smartly on the mend til I taken the mumps. my strength is nearly non I can walk about two miles an a stretch is as far as I can go. I am as pore as any man even gets to Be & go abou.t But thank God I am as well off as I am.
our rigment is turned out to fite and has no tents to Shelter under in rain nor no other wether. all the armies that is on the field has no tents. I am afraid we can’t stand it to take the wether as it comes. if I [don’t] get Better by the time I get to the rigiment I shall try to get a discharge. we expect to leave here jest as soon as we can get transportation. we don’t Know when that will Be But we think tomorrow if nothing hapens.
I have not received eny letters yet. I never wanted to hear from home as Bad in my life. I am nearly crazy [page fold]. Send your letter to richmond virginia in care of Capt C W Hillard 26 rigment Georgia voluntiers and it will follow me. well I will tell you somthing about our fair [fare]. we get a half cup of wheat coffy & Bisket Split open sometimes two peases and somtimes one & 1 pease of meet as long as two fingers three times a day and that is all and the Best we get sick or well.
our rigment is under the fitingest general that is in this country. he never gets whipped he always whips. georgians is doing the biggest half of the fiting hear. the night we landed in richmond the ladies found out we [page torn] georgians & they asked god to bless [page torn] & Slaped their hands and Sed they love georgians. give my love to all the family and all inquiring friends. I ask you and all the praying people to remember our rigment in prayer. prayer is all my hopes & I in tend if I dy or get kild today praying. kiss the child for me [page torn]. in good hart. god will Bless you no dout of that if you will put your trust in him.
I would Be with you if it was posible but it is 7 hundred miles from home and when I get to the rigment it will be two hundred miles farther & we have no money. I have a dollar & a Qarter & that I barred [borrowed]. all the men & officers is out of money. Dear wife rite to me. every mail that comes I get disapointed. I look for letters & get none. I looked over two hundred letters yesterday that Belong to our rigment and I coldent get nary one. so I will close By Saying nothing more at this time But remains your husband till death. hoping these few lines may find you well. excuse Bad riting
J H J Knoles
