Paper was apparently in short supply. John answered his father on the reverse side of a letter from Mr. Earnest, Sr. How fortunate for us because we have both sides of a controversy!! Note that John was caught by the New Year as we all are at times. Remember, John's father could not write himself, so who was doing it for him? We do not know the answer to that question, however, some clues exist: 1. Some phrases are similar to ones John uses. 2. All words beginning with the letter "s" are capitalized. Perhaps a sibling is writing for him, a good guess would be a sister. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cattawissa Jan 1, 1863 Dear Son I will now write a few line to you to let you know that we are all well at preasant and rest in hopes that you are the Same I would like to know what is the reason why you do not write I have written four letters to you Since I receaved an answer from you I am going to Send you a box to morrow morning on the Second of January No more at preasant Write Soon From your Father John Earnest ................................................................................ Camp A general hospital near fredrick marland January 5 1862 Dear father itake the Pleasure to inform you afiew line that iam well at Present and ihope that you ar allthe Same ireceived your leter to night and was glad to hear from you ihave not got the box yet that piece of paper that was inside of the leter icould not read the half of it i have rote aleter every week Sins ihave bin in Camp at that hospital and iSent William Earnest aleter that he Should Send me Some tobaco and hav not got answered yet and irote on the 19 of last month Solgern is not as mutch fin as wat Some think it is i think them wat is at home con in Joy them Selvs Just as well in the army ithink again my time is up iShal be Satisfide of Solgern So iSend my best respects John Earnest ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- End Notes: William Earnest is John's older brother. John is beginning to show some disillusionment with the state of things.