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Camp of the 20th Maine Vol In the Feaild Petersburg Va

                    July 6th 1864

Dear sister Helen  I now take 

My pen in hand to Write a few lines to let you know that am stil alive and Wel I hope that theus few lines wil find you the same. we stil lay hear in the ditch before the Towned the rebs have got strong woorks hear and so have we too Helen what cind of a time did you have the forth on your birth Day I should lik to have bin at Home on the Forth It is very hot hear in the day and cool in the Night and it is dry we hand had eny rain since we Crossed the river and it dont look like rain eithe Helen I suppose that you wold like to now what the boys are a dowing now some ove the boys are playing Cards and