John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 November 16

mailed on the 18th quite an entervail between writing and mailing. in all I sent you 4 letters in October and as yet they are all unheard from when you write always mention the date of the letter or letters you are replying to. I was as usual glad when reading your last letter to learn that you were all well and that my father was still able to move round long may he be able to do so. when lying in my Bunk during my sleepless nights and the are not few occasionally I pray to the almighty for a man can pray even in a hotbed of wickedness the midnight hours seems to be the most suitable time for su devotion as at that time Satan seems to be chained for a short season. in my prayers I remember you I implore our heavenally father to give you health and existence so that you

may be able to look after the children especially the little girls that are so tender and young I have been laboring for the last few weeks under a heavy depression of spirits that along with the sickne -ss has reduced me to a state of poverty that were I to present my -self before you unaware I think you would have some trouble in recognising me, if something do not turn up before long to stop the th war I never expect to see home alive death will end my captivity if I never should see the enemy but I expect we will have some sharp work here before long I have got no pay yet but had we remained ^in^ Newbern we would have been paid before now however I think the pay -master will soon come here

and pay us when I will send you all I could ^can^ spare - we left newbern on the morning of the seventh inst. and arrived here on the evening of the 8th all is hurry and bustle here now putting guns in position fixing quarters &c the mail is closing and so must I give respects to all you and the children