Springfield Landing --25 Jun 1863

(part of this letter is missing)

(p1)Dear Wife

I take this chance to send you a few lines to let you know that I am well and safe. so for you must have worried at not getting any letter from me before. I have had no chance to write since I was in Opeleusas. we have had a hard time the last six weeks. we had a long march to get here and have had two very hard fights. we lost in our regiment 75 men, company was lucky we had only two wounded all.............. Know are safe and send........... you and all their friends..........doing picket duty around....... dont know how long we shall........ Port Hudson is not taken........ to be another attact. Lov......... must fall we hope we..... to face it again as there...... there now we have led the ........ and think some of the other..... should try it. we would have ...... if we shall been properly......nearly all of our oficers and....

(p2) i got a letter from you on the 23rd and was happy to find you and the children all well as I hope this will. I am glad to hear that the children are learning fast. I am glad that Willie is a good boy and hope Affy and Janey will learn fast and be good to mother and pray to God for papa and he will not let him be shot but send him safe home to you all. I send you all a kiss. it is all I have to send with my prayers for you all may God bless and ...... keep my dear family safe...... got the box today and ...... to get your likeness it is ....... and will give me great ..... wish you to send me the ..... yours in one picture you ..... without any case in a letter ..... been apid yet but expect...... think the Police comissioners ...... very mean I will send ..... certificate as soon as they ..... the colonel has not got ...... might show them this...... will satisfy them that ..... my part doing my duty.

(p3) Give my love to Samuel, tell him I will soon write to him and let him have the particulars. give my love to Mrs Mudget, tell her to give my love to the boys when she writes. I am glad to hear they are so well liked. give my respects to Miss Halliday, tell her that Frank is well. give my love to all my friends. give my love to John and Belle and the family. Itrust I shall have the happiness of meeting them soon if god permits. I often think when on my lonely watch at night of ...... hours passed then the ..... rise unbidden and the here ...... homeward and I seen the ..... I am with you again but ..... roar of cannon and the ...... muskets and the mus...... knocks such thoughts ....... head and then comes ...... to lay low boys and g.... and I am proud to say ...... 162nd can lick three times .... in reb any time.

(p4) I was glad to get the tabaco as I had not had any in a month and had to chew back and smoke coffee. all was safe in the box. you must not worry if you dont get letters oftener as we are far away in the woods and letters are not alowed to be sent all times. write as soon as you get this and write often. you have a better chance to send them....... hope we shall soon get ...... getting very hot ....... unhelathy but I must ....... letter to a close and my ....... love all

your affectionate husband--Laban Hill

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