I shall write a short letter this time for I have an opportuny to see my friends & Mr. Longley, for [h]e is one of them, can tell you all about me. Byron Hill came up from Washington with him. I need not express my pleasure at seeing him for you can imagine that easily enough. We have been having a grand time since they arrived yesterday. it seems like old times. a number of the Greene boys & Byron & I have been over to Orderly's tent considerable of the time & if we have not been enjoying life it is no matter.
     Last night I received a letter from Delinda [i.e., Delinda Jackson] & one from the "Pine Woods" very much pleased to get each of them I was on guard as I usually am when I get Delinda's letters.

As I do not know when Mr. Longley will go home I shall write again by the first mail. which is Monday. to some of the family I think. You will excuse a half sheet as paper is not very common with us. The object of this is to ask you to pay Mr. Lo[ngley] five dollars for money that he le[t] me have today. I wish you to pay him for his trouble. I have had but one cent of money for more than six weeks & that I spent about a week ago for a sheet of paper. so when he asked me if I had any money & I had informed that I had not & he handed out a five dollar bill as I know nothing of when we shall be payed off & not knowing what may occur I most hankfully accepted it & trust you will repay him. Affectionately in the greatest haste,

Yours. John M. Jackson
Co. A. 23 Me Regt. Vols. Washington D.C.

If I had known of the chance in season I should have tried to send home something.