John McCoy, letter, to Martha McCoy, 1864 October 25

I feel so lonesome that I in order if possible to raise my spirits a little I will write you a [gap: faded][guess (SYA): very few lines] [gap: faded][guess (SYA): as in fact my writing] material is almost exhausted this is the fourth letter this month the last dated the 15th in answer to your letter 26th Sept., that letter was the last work done till I [gap: faded][guess (SYA): commenced] [gap: faded][guess (SYA): to write] this being [gap: faded][guess (SYA): confined to my bunk] for the last eight days unable to taste anything but cold water to be vomited again. it is awful what Pills I have taken but I expect it [gap: faded][guess (SYA): required them] all to break the chills and fever. today day I feel pretty well although to weak for duty yet, the great trouble with me is I have no appe- tite for the rations I have no no money to buy anything else, when I look in the [gap: faded][guess (SYA): glass and] I see my hollow and wrinkled cheeks once so round and plump I must

If you know [gap: faded][guess (SYA): how good I feel] when I [gap: faded][guess (SYA): hear from] home [gap: faded][guess (SYA): you would] I think [gap: faded][guess (SYA): write] [gap: faded] my mind is to weak to [gap: faded][guess (SYA): write] [gap: faded] [gap: faded][guess (SYA): this] Give my love to all my [gap: faded] [gap: faded][guess (SYA): will] [gap: faded][guess (SYA): you] [gap: faded] [gap: faded]