October 22nd 1862

Mr. John Earnest

        I was to see your son just a few moments ago. He has been sick for
some time. He is in the Hospital now but he is getting better. He can walk
where he wishes to. He requested me to write to you. He has had the fever
and he is weak yet. He told me  that if we got to winter Quarters he would
like to send home for some things. I will tell you what they are so you can
get the things to put them in and be ready to send them when he writes for
them. I will give you a list of the things he wants: Butter, Applebutter,
Chestnuts, Bread and other things you wish to send. The rest of the boys
are well.

Now Mr. Earnest, I want you to tell me who got drafted and who is going to
teach your school and what the wages are and all the particulars. Tell me
about your crops; how your potatoes turned out, the buckwheat, rye and
corn.

Tell everyone to write to me. I have been sick 4 weeks myself. I am not
able to drill yet-I feel weak, therefore I cannot write very well.  Be sure
to write to me as well as to John as soon as you can.

From your friend

S.W. Ely

Address  Washington  D.C. Army Corps
Humphreys Division Briggs
Brigade  Allabachs Regiment
Company C. in care of Captain
T.R. Jones

Wesley Ely

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End Notes:

This letter was written by S.W. Ely to John's father. Wes Ely was in the
131st Regiment with John and was a friend of his. It is included here
because the handwriting matches the last letter, of Oct.17, and because
John was not yet able to write. Wes Ely wrote that letter at John's
dictation.

Because of references to school and wages, it is believed that S. Wesley
Ely was the school teacher before he went to war. Was John's father on the
school board?  Wes's family gave its name to Elysburg, PA, near where John
grew up.