May 17th 1862

Campbell County Tennessee   Powels Vally   Big Creek Gap

Dear Companion I am once more permitted to Drop you a few Lines to in form you that I am well at this time Hopen these Lines will find you all well I have nothing strange to write I wrote to you the 14th But as I have Left Knoxville I thought I would write again I Left F M and all the Recruts at the Camp Knoxville and they was all well and appeard well satisfied I am at this time 55 or 60 mile from the Camps I can’t Say how Long we will stay I understand that the Rest of the Rigment is sent for to come and if that is so all the Boys will Be here in two or three Days We will Be paid off in a short time and I want you to write whether you want any money or not and if you Do I want you to write to me so I can send you Some if I can get the chance I am most out of money at this time it takes more money to do any one here then any one would think untell they try it we are stationd in the mountians and the mountians here is Larger here then the Georgia mountians and a greate Deal Rougher I Dont think that we will Ever have to fight any here for they ant any Yankees in Less then forty mile of us and the Cumberland Mountain between us I want you to write Evry mail and direct to Knoxville as you have done for that is the neist office and the mail goes from here Dayly I cant write no more at this time for the Lack of paper Brout none with me But a copy book But have planty at Knoxville But I Diant Bring it with me

Good Bye for this time     L F Crumly