John Stover to Jacob Stover May 4, 1865 letter

              [page 1]
Nashville, Tennessee
May 4th /65 {1865]
Jacob Dear Brother I take pen in
hand to commune a short time
with you. I have received your
letter that was writen [sic] on Easter Day.
I was glad to hear from you, but most
sorry to learn that your eyes were
still sore.  Well Jacob since I last 
wrote to you we have changed our 
locality considerable [sic]. We left 
Greeneville 23 Apr [April 23rd] and 
marched to Bulls Gap and
there lay four days and then
got on board of the [railroad] cars and
come [sic] to this place. We were several
days on the road.  We are encamped
about 4 miles from the city. Have
#  a nice camp and more than put 
# on style.  General Thomas
# reviews the      tomorrow

[page 2]
and we have orders from General
Wood to appear in the best 
possible style.  As it is probily [probably] the 
last time he will ever review
the      again.  All together
it is hard for me to tell what
the program is but I believe that
the vetrans [veterans] will be held for some
time.  But one thing is certain.  This
war is about played out, and I am
mighty glad of it.  I saw several
thousand of [General Robert E.] Leee�s [sic] Army going
to their homes.  They said that
they were fairly whiped [whipped] and they
were willing to give it up for a bad
job.  Jacob I wish now that I had not 
sent for them [sic] shirts but all
right if you have sent them
and if you haven�t sent them, don�t
send them.  I have made a raise
of several good shirts.  I wish that 
I could lend you my aid through
corn planting.  If nothing happens

[page 3]
and everything become peaceable
I expect to be at home by corn 
cuting [sic] time anyhow, if not 
before.  The rebels thought that they
had done a grand thing when
they killed Abraham Lincoln
but my impression is that
they cut off their nose to spite
their face because Johnson is 
death [sic] on traitors. Jacob as I have
no particular for this photo of mine
I will send if back to you.  Keep
it for me.  It is awful warm here 
today.  I expect that you are 
[indecipherable] for all that is [indecipherable]
The stamps was [sic] well received.
Well,  Jacob, hoping to see you 
before many months if
we both live.  I will close
but when I see you I know
enough to tell you it will
be all I can do to get my

[page 4]
talk out in one month.
My health is tolerable good;
my weight is 170.  I hope that you are in good health.
Excuse all errors and reply
when convenient.  I must
prepare for the grand drama
tomorrow. Capt. [Captain] Cook, commands 
our company cow, but Lieut. [Lieutenant] 
Jacob Cline has had command 
of our company for several
months.  Cline is a good fellow.
I will tell you why when I see
you. Bartlet is Lieutenant
Colonel.
He is awful strict, more
than Blackman. Hopeing [sic]
that we may soon be together
and have good old times.
I will close.  I give you
my best respects
From your true brother
John H. Stover
To Jacob N. Stover
Good day