Cumberland Ford Jun 1 1862
Dear Wife I take
this opurtunity to inform
you that i am well. I received
your letter with ???? and ?????
in it. I was very glad to learn
that you was all well. You
beter imagine than i
can discribe it to you. i am
geting along very well for grub
Since we left the Reigment
you complaind a little abought
the lenth of my letters,
but I can not help it. I will
rite them as long as i dare
under present circumstances.
I have a goodeal to do both
night and day by times. I
must tell you something
abought the scout we had.
one morning the general
informed me that ?? i must
b mounted at 4 oclock to go
with him on a scout. a(t) the
time mentioned he (and) 6
officers and I started ought
and you better think it was
the greatest ride i ever hade.
We went five miles towards
the gap and then turned to the
left. we pushed on towards
the cumberland mountains
under full galop. my horse
was so hard in the mouth
that I nearly cut my hand
off holding him. We wrode
on till we came to a ?????
house. when wee came up to
the house wee jumpt-off
and sirounded it. and
what do you think wee
captured. nothing but a
Kitten. the General keeps
it in his tent now. But
i must tell you where i go
for milk. I go 5 miles towards
the gap every evening. And some-
times the ????? comes ought
to our pickets. and i go be-
ond the pickets abought a
mile and while the woman is
milking i generly sit on
my horse. sometimes i get
get off. But i hardly ever
rest-easy when i am on the
ground. But enough of thiss
I sent you 5 dollars in the
last letter i wrote to you.
I hope you will write as soon as
you get it. I want to know
how soon you think this
war will be over.
I have nothing more to write
of importance, without
telling you things that is to
teadious(?). Now write soon
and often. I sill Remain
Your Afctionate
Husband
John McClenand