Camp GroveNov 27th 1862My Dear Wife -

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I received your last letter this afternoon. You can hardly conceive how much pleasure it gives me to get a letter from home, and when I come to that part of it when it says you are all well. I go about my business with new vigor and zeak. I regret very much that you have so many trial to endure, you know that I was always ready to shield you from all hardships, but I hope that the time is not far distant when I can share your trials, more directly.

You seem to feel that I feel annoyed that you ask me for money, but it is not so, who else should you apply to, and you should have had some long before this if I could have got

it for you, I hope that many days will not pass over before I shall have some to send you; Keep good cheer my health is very good. I have not lost a single day since I joined my regiment. Yours and the childrens health is good. I should like to be with you thanksgiving I know I should have a good time. but by the way that day has past your thanksgiving I had began to write that the day had past for this reason. The Mass regiment had this thanksgiving today. When you have your dinner or shall probably be far from this plan, as we are under marching orders, and expect to be called on to march at any moment. But if we are here or intend to celebrate the day.

Murk the "smak" is getting his pay for his writing that letter home

he has been on trial all day to day for it. Our Col. is very indignant that such a story should be told of the surgeons, and Murk will be reduced to the ranks (he is now a corporal) if he does not remain a man serving punishment. The Col was in my tent all last evening and one of the subjects of conversation was this Murk affair. He did run the [      ] to tell me that no man could do this duty more faithfully than I had done, or done it better. I tell you of it because I know you will feel as proud of it as I do.

If it is possible I shall get a furlough to go home this winter and if we are very near home I can get one, that is if there is

no fighting going on. I shall be entitled to one. There is no kind of prospect of our going to Texas, but there is some that [  ] may go further south, but this is all conjecture. So much for war items. This letter should have gone out yesterday, but I was at the hospital when the post boy came round & missed it. But you have got this addition by the delay. We get a mail here every other day. Your story about the children was very interesting, and I dont know of any smarter children than ours - crow or no crow. Kiss them all for me, and tell Helen I am waiting for an answer to my letters.

As ever your affectionate husbandJ. C. Rutherford