My Dear Daughter Kathryn,

Congratulations on your Graduation from 12th Grade. I am so pleased of your intention to become a teacher, although I wish you could use your talents and knowledge to contrive some sort of "Instant Cold Pack" that I could carry in my haversack during our campaigns. It would come in so handy during the heat of the summer. My only relief at present is the powder that your mother offered me to remove the chafe  from the march.

The fields of summer are crawling with ticks and tiny vermin of all sorts that love to hitch a ride and feast on rebels, adding to the misery of the campaigner. Not even the stink of a soldier will keep the pests away. You will hardly recognize me once I return home, my skin weathered and darkened so by the effects of spending most of the day in the sun.

Fortunately, with good planning, hydration is not an issue, and having several pair of socks so that I can keep my feet dry has come in handy as the evenings seem to attract thunderstorms lately.

I fear that I may soon be in line for a new set of brogans as my current issue is wearing thin, the poor soles.

Give my best to those at home, the boys are anxious for a fight and are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to burn some powder.

Your Loving Father, Corp. James Marshall, CSA

Corp. Jim Marshall
44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Co. C.
The Johnson Guards