9th June at night 1862

My Dearest Elizabeth

Through mercy I am up, though not in very good health. I had symptoms of chill day before yesterday evening and some little symptoms this morning, but this evening I feel better than usual of an evening.

I have been chewing the root of the Iron weed to day and swollowing the piece, as I was on my way to the Pass and back, and could not have tea made of it, but if nothing happens to prevent I want to commence tomorrow and drink of the tea till the symptoms all leave me. Dallas is well and the health of the company is very good at present. We have no news down here, only the soldiers will get 2 months more pay this week. I got mine today and will send one hundred dollars which you will send or give to John W. Stewart and tell him to pay my State and County Tax out of it and keep the balance and give me credit for it.

It is now late and I am tired and can not think of anything to write, so I will close, Hoping these few lines may find you well...I remain your affectionate Husband

J. G. Collier

PS: I could not learn to day any thing about when we should reorganize. The Major had left on a Boat for Houston (via Beaumont) and passed up by Capt. {?} Irwin {?}Camp and said a reorganization would take place this week, but I saw the adjutant and Capt. Burch at the Pass and neither of them could tell whether a reorganization would take place at all or not, so things seem to be in darkness and doubt, though Capt. Burch says that all under 18 & over 35 will be entitled to a discharge on the 16th of next month (July) and if so we shall not have to remain much longer as this is the 9th of June.

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(In possession of  Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx)