Letter by Pvt. David Chap Jones to his father, A. K. Jones

Camp Johnson Nov. 21, 1861

Dear Father and Friends,
I write you a few lines to inform you of the times. Hugh has got the measles. He has been complaining two or three days. I have just returned from the hospital where I have been to carry him-distance from camp is half mile. He is not complaining very much, yet he would be knocking about if he was not afeared. He has a very bad cold and cough. The measles have not broken out on him yet.

We carried two from our mess today. There was twelve of us at first. There is but six now able for duty. Four has the measles, one has the chils, one the typhoid newmonia.

I am pretty well fatigued, somewhat from the loss of sleep. Hugh is doing pretty well. His bowels run most too free though they appear to be easy controld. One dose of powders will check them for six or eight hours, then they will run off two or three times in the course of eight or ten hours. He says he feels pretty well. He coughs some and spits up right smart fleam. His stools smell very bad, which I expect is the case with all who have the measles. I will have to close this letter as I have the opportunity of sending it to the office immediately. My throat is nearly well.

None of our boys have died yet as I have heard of. Some of them in the hospital are very low. Write soon. I will write you a few lines again soon if I am spared. My letters will be short for a while until I have more time. I am too much engaged to learn much news.

your son,
D. C. Jones

The Jones Family Papers, 1861-1862 (C#2235)
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia, University of Missouri