[Transcript of letter from Charles Moore to Josephus Moore, February 29, 1864] Page: 1 of 4

                                
Jerseyville Ill Feb 29th 1864         9 A.M
Josephus The day after we separated I went out to Lebanon
+ found Defore Brown the Texian + spent the night with him + had
mutch satisfaction. He lived near Weston 5 miles N West of
Uncle Add Wilson. Last september He was at uncle adds
a few days before he started. The old folks were well but
the boys were all game.  Infact he sad nearly all persons
fit + many unfit were in the army. He did not know
Pete or John Wallace. George Wilson was just geting about
after a hard spell of sicknes. Georges father in law kincaid
was in Sept ordered into camps where Brown was +
is doubtles now in the service. Brown went to the camp
but had to pass through to water his horse. He failed
to find water to suit him till he got to Mississippi
River + there he concluded he would visit his Illinois
Kin before he went back. Brown has not the bitter=
=ness of Mrs Constant + is well posted. He difers with
her as to Throckmorton being a Ribel. He says Throckmorton
+ Stone are both Union men yet tho they both have Regim=
=ents in the field now. He herd Stone Speak in Mckinney
shortly before he started. He says George + Kincaid are yet
for the Union + he thinks Uncle Add is not mutch Rebel
My cold got so bad I had to hury home where I arrived Wednesday
=night walking up from Alton. But at Subaman (?) I found
Harrys (?) Ratton who was in Henrys company up to Fort Smith
He is the Same that Hugh Jackson told me of. He is nephew
of Throckmortons + his home was up here. At Fort Smith
Throckmorton + Stone gave him + his cousin Bill Piles paper
through the lines to enable them to desert + come home
McCullock caught them but they made their esdape in the confusion of Pea
Ridge