1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

6. Underlining in the original document is repeated in the transcript.

7. An attempt is made to keep editing to a minimum to preserve the often unique character of the original.

-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

Camp Near Centresville [sic] Sept 12th 61

Dear Friend Kate

I received your kind & welcome letter some three or four weeks since and I take this opportunity to answer it[.] I was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you were all well. you said all the girls looked well except Snake[.] you named one in perticular [sic][.] you called her my dear Maggie[.] well if you say she is my dear it must be so[.] I gues [sic] you know, give her my love[.] Tell Snake I can verry [sic] easily account for her looking badly[.] she has parted with some one and she is grieving herself about him[.] I cant

[page 2] say who it is unles [sic] it is Mr. ______[.] tell her he is well and I hope it wont be long before she may have the happy privilege of seeing him[.] I long to see that happy time when we all may be permitted to return to our homes, you cant imagine how I would like to come home[.] I have tried to get a furlough but there was no earthly chance so I have come to the conclusion to wait patiently until next Aprile [sic] if I am spared to see it then I can come home, but I hope this fus [sic] may be settled long before then[.] Kate I suppose you heard about Tom Supple loosing all the letters that was sent by him & never have been heard from since, we scolded him a greateal [sic] about it but I suppose he did not loose them intentionally

[page 3] therefore we will have to forgive him[.] I received a letter from home yesterday the firse [sic] one for more than two weeks and was very sorry to hear of G Campbells death poor fellow he suffered a greateal [sic] but I hope he is now at rest[.] I would like to have come and see him before he died but that privilage [sic] was denied me[.] I think it very hard that no one are allowed to go home under any circumstance except on a sick furlough[.] I pittied [sic] James Trotter he tried several time to get a furlough to go home and see his Father before he died but there was no chance, well Kate as it is now about ten Oclock and the candle is about out I will have to bring these few lines to a close[.] give my love to all the Family & all inquiring friends excuse all mistakes nothing more at this time from your true friend

James W. Vines

[[The fourth page is inscribed to: Miss Kate Armentrount, Rose Dale. The envelope attached is addressed to Miss Amanda C. Armentrout, Greenville, Aurusta Co., Va. In the upper right corner is written, "paid" and "Centerville 9/12/61".]