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MOBILE ALA. Feby 16rh 1864
Cousin Sallie
I am sure you will be surprised with the reading of this note. You no doubt have been expecting me home for some time. I expected myself to be able to visit the dear ones living on our pleasant coast before this but how sadly I have been disappointed we left. Jackson Miss on the oth and have been marching ever since. I arrived at Meridian on the 14th and was so tired and my feet so ' sore I took the cars and came here. I arrived yesterday morning, Lorings Division-to which our Regiment is attached marched through by land to Demopolis Ala. I expect to leave here this evening to mee the via Selma. I assure you Cousin it is a very hard blow upon me to be compelled to leave home and all I hold most dearly within the lines of the enemy and I do so without offering then the least opposition. This retreat has cast a gloom over my hopes of the future which can be removed only by some very great and early change of affairs. I assure you I have never felt despondant in regard to our ultimate success but the last campaigne was enough to shake the hopes of the most confident I hope you will all try and keep out of way of the	enemy	as much	as	possible. I may not be able to write	to
you again soon.	I would	have written oftener by mail previous to
this but I	was expecting	to	leave every day. I hope you will not
forget me.	Give	my love	to	all the family and accept the same and
believe me as ever.
Your Devoted Cousin John
N. B.
I would tell you more of the retreat all about the feds and our forces but I am not aware how this will be forwarded to you and it my prove contraband
ADIEU
J.