Dear Cousin Beck,

I received your letter of June 23 yesterday.

I am sorry that you don't get all of my letters. I know I don't get 3 letters from you for every one I write if you do write them. Matt thought I ought to write 3 to him for every one he writes to me. If he would only write anything maybe I ought, but such little short letters as his don't deserve any answer at all.  I sometimes write more to him in one letter than all he has written to me put together.

The weather is too hot to write letters now. I think I would have a good enough excuse if I didn't write another letter until next October--but I guess I'll try to write a few letters to you in that time. When the sun don't shine down hot enough to melt the buttons off our coats--then it rains. We had 16 rainy days in June.

The health of the boys is pretty good for this time of year. Sergeant Allyn [William M. Allyn] has been rather unwell for a few days but not dangerously. I have good health.

We don't do much drilling now--it's too hot.--in fact it is too hot to tell the truth.

There are only a few of Co E sick now--none in the hospital.Hiram Ashline had a rather severe attack of croup a day or two ago--better now. I believe the rest of your friends are well. Silas [Angier] keeps fat and hearty.

Please give my love to friends generally--particularly to your own family and to my sister.

Love affectionate Cousin

James B. King
 

 Go to next letter dated July 18, 1863