1862 Camp Butler Barricks  Jan 22nd  Dear Eliza  I sopose you think I am a long while a writing to you/ I shut have written sooner but I did not know what to do/ I thaught I could come home before this time or know som thing about when I could come home/ But I know no more about it now then I dit Two weeks ago none of us know to day what we have to do to morrow/ but I don   t think it will  be long before I can come home, I hope this may find you all in good health as this leaves me the same/ Thank God we have not had much  cold whether here since I come here it is tolerable muddy all the time and bad gitting around but we have a very plessent time/ Mr Gorden 
        came up here last Saturday and Preached Twice last Sunday and Preached once since he is going to stay till next Sunday and Preach/ I think he will be our chaplin/ it is not decidet yet/ Mrs Higgins is here in camp/ I saw her yesterday and talked with her/ If I don   t  come home before she dos I will  send some mony by her to you we was pait of last week/ Pease wont sent for his horsis till he knows what we are a going to do and where we are a going/ we will not  stay here long. I know nothing to write at present only that God may protect us from harm and eavil/ give my love to Margeat and kiss the children for me your affectionate Husband   J.G. Burggraf