John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 August 6

I have been expecting a letter from you for some time past in answer to mine of the 12th ultimo I also wrote you on the 23rd July. I would have defered writing to you at present only for the circumstances under which I am placed. I am sorry to say that I have been sick and unfit for duty since the 26th July three days after I wrote my last letter, and as yet I am gaining very little strength, I was taken with the chills and fever which continued for three days leaving me quite prostrate before the fever abated, I took 14 quinine pills since then I have been taking three doses per day of Tincture of Iron and whiskey to give a me an appetite and strength but as yet I have neither. it is awful sickly hear at present and I am afraid the worst is not come yet. I hope this will find you all in good health as

it gratifies me to hear you are all will, you should try and write to me oftener if the letters should not be so long. were I able and had I time when will I could find material for a letter at least once a week from this place where occurrences is of no interest ^to^ you— at this time you will excuse me for a short letter as the state of my mind will not warrant much writing, I am happy to inform you that since my illness I have had a daily visitor in the person of James Vance Son of Alick Vances at Huntingdon he belongs to Co.6. his quarters is only a few yards from mine. he and other recruits came here about a month ago to fill up the companys. it was merily by accident that I found out Vance as one saw other every day and failed to recognise each other. but for some time I have been acquainted with a man by the name of Dickson from Lan-caster a Blacksmith in 3d N.Y. light [illegible][guess (MKR): Artry] I called at the shop to get a newspaper

when he told me that the day [illegible][guess (MKR): before] a boy came into the shop to get the Breech pins taken out of his gun he said he was a recruit from Canada. Hunting-don his name Vance I immediately went in search of him and found him we were both agreeably surprised at meeting James looks will and in good heatlh and spirits he will answer the Army will as nothing appears to trouble him. I am glad of his company I fancy when he asks me how I am, that his feelings is more tender than the rest. but I must say that I regret very much to see a Boy so young as him and Brought up where at least some attention was paid to morality plunged into the very Prototype of Hell itself— Tell Mr. Vance that James wrote him a letter when on Galloupes Island near Boston giving him a statiment of affairs up to that time also enclosing a

check on the Malone Bank for the sum of $450'00 he feels a little uneasy until he hears from it and in fact from home. tell Mr. Vance James wants to hear from home as soon as pofsible he would like to know if his uncle Joseph is living in the same place and if his grandmother is still alive James sends his love to his father and Brothers and sisters Cousin John and John McGarvey he will send home his likeness as soon as convenient you will show Mr. Vance this letter as soon as you can as it may be some consolation to him to hear from his son— I conclusion you and the children accept my love and remember me to father & mother Brothers and sisters uncle Meredith and aunt Ann Sarah and also Mother Black and all the rest of the family