Jeferson (Jefferson) County, Arcansas (Arkansas)

Dear Wife;

      I imbrace (embrace) the present opportunity of righting (writing) you a few lines to inform you that I am in tolerable health and I thank God that it is as well with me as it is.  When these lines come to hand I hope they may find you and the children well.  I received your this Monday morning the 11th of August.  I was truly glad to hear that you
was all well.  I have nothing of interest to right to you.  We have left Camden, ar(are) now camped nine (9) miles from Pine Bluff and I expect will remain hear (here) for some time .  I could hardly make the trip the wether (weather) was so warn. I hant (ain’t) slept with any cover on me since I left home and in the open air at that with out (without) a tent.

    There is about four thousand (4,000) troups (troops) hear (here).  Our fair is Beef and Bread, some malases (molasses) and little Bacon.  I think hard times is just commenced. I have no war news to right (write).  We can hear any thing (anything) hear (here).  I cear (care) little about the war if I could be at home.  There is three hundred (300) in the
hoospittle (hospital).  Ther (there) ant (ain’t) but forty (40) men in our company able for duty out of one hundred and fiften (fifteen) (115). Nevel Sutton was left on the road with the measles and Garlin Bright with the fever at the same house.  Elizabeth, I would freely give all that I posseese (possess) to get out of the war and to see you and the children once
more.

    Camp life don’t suit me. We ar (are) not allowed to go a mile from camp without an order from the General.  Hear (here) I have temttations (temptations) to encounter with. It takes a man with firmness to live in camp a christan (Christian) life.  Elizabeth I study day and night about you and my too (two) sweet children.. Tell them to be good children till I come back.  I want you to pray for me for my troubles and triels (trails) are many. May God help you to pray for me and yourself and the children and give you grace to bear you up under all your troubles and sorrows.  I am still in hopes that I will get off when the ridgement (regiment) is formed.  if I never get back I expect to meet you in the glory land where there will be no more parting husband and wife and friends.  Direct your letter to Pine Bluff.
 

To Mrs L. E. (Lucy Elizabeth) Woosley,  Albany, Ark

            Originally recruited into Company "F" Captain Rader's company of Dawson's 19th Arkansas Infantry in Albany, AR.  George Woosley was transfered to Company "C" of Portlock's 24th Arkansas Infantry and died September 1st, 1862.  This Letter is the last that his family ever heard from George.  His is a typical story of those recruits at Camp White Sulphur Springs and Camp R. G. Shaver's where the 19th Arkansas, the 24th Arkansas, and Crawford Battalion of Arkansas Infantry were brigaded together and encamped.

            This Letter is printed here by the kind permission of George R. Woosley decendants, Larry and Kathryn Priest and may not be reproduced without their permission.