Holly Island. S.C. Nov. 13, 1863

Dear brother. It is with great pleasure that I seat myself in order that I mite write you a few lines to inform you of my good health. This leaves me well and I do hope it will find you and family well. I was very much suprised when I heard you had got back into Ind. I hadent heard from you for so long I thought you had gone under. But I still see you are alive and has tied your self to one of Adams Ribs. Well you must tell me what her name is and who she was before you married her. You said something about going back to Mo. (Missouri I think) You had better stay where you are until this cruel war is over. For it is uncertian that I will bee at home next June the 1st and I would like to see you. I long to get back in to the United States once more for I wouldent live in VA or MD or SC if they would give me the hole state. Here I am on this godforsaken island surrounded by water and only one house on it. And sand knee deep and hot enough to kill a pickled negro. Well I will close as I have to go on fatigue. I am at work at General Gilmores Headquarters building a picture gallery and as soon at it is done he is going to draw a landscape and give it to me. Write soon.

Nashville Coatney to Jesse Coatney

side two

Holly Island SC. Nov.13th 1863

Dear brother. I now take pen in hand for the purpose of answering your kind letter which came to hand a few days ago. It found me well and this leaves me the same and I hope it will find you and the family all well. I answered the letter you sent to me that is the one you spoke about. I wanted you to send me some post stamps but I dont know weather you got it so I will answer this one and expect an answer before I write again. There is great excitement here about the Veteran Corps. The officers of this regiment wants us to enlist for 3 years longer but I cant do it so I will not enlist until I get home. The bombardment of Charleston is still going on. I have not much new to write at this time but maybe I can give you some good news the next letter I write to you. So I will close as I want to write some to Jesse. So no more at present. Write soon.

Nashville Coatney to George Washington Coatney