Silas Stepp to Eleanor Stepp

[this letter is also in a hand other than Silas Stepp's]

  Prisoners' Camp Barracks No 3.  Ward

25.   Elmyra New York   July 13. 1864

                My dear wife:  I am still

among the living and enjoying tolerably

good health.  I am now a prisoner

of war at this place.  The Yankees capturd

me at Jackson's Mill N. C. on the 22 ^d

of June last.  They brought me first to

New bern N. C. where I remained four

days only.   They then brought me to

Fortress Monroe where I tarried one

day only .  They then took me to

Point Look out in the state of Maryland

where I stayed eight days.

They then took me to this place where

I have ever since remained.

My brother F. M. Stepp is here with

me.  His health is good.  We are

treated as well as prisoners of war Could

expect to be treated.  I do not know

how long I shall remain here.

The Yankees say the will not

exchange any more until the war

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ends.  I do not presume that I could

get off on parole.  Consequently I

Can not Come home, however

ardently I desire to see you all

once more and enjoy your sweet

and agreeable society.

     I am extremely anxious to see

you and hear you Converse.

I can not be happy when I am

thus rudely deprived of the society

of all those loved ones at home.

I send you my love and a thousand

kind wishes for your welfare and happiness

May you live long on earth and be

happy.  Kiss all the children for

me and say to them that I love

them as fondly as ever.  When you write

to me direct your letter to Prisoners Camp

Barrack no 3. Ward 25.  Elmyra

New York.  Put a United States Post

-age Stamp on your letter.  Direct it in

Care of Major Could  Your devoted

friend and affectionate husband

               S. H. Stepp