Letter from Albert Lafayette Burks

       Camp Statham the 23rd September Cumberlain Gap Dear Father I Seat my Self to write you a few lines to let you know how I am at this time I am well except a bad cold. all of the Boys are tolerable well at this time E. Love is a little sick We have lost one more man at this place and that was Dr. Harman he Died with the Colery. father I have not got any News to write to you that will interest you we are at Cumberland Gap and expecting a fight our regiment has bin Seperated the Right wing went to Cumberland Ford. they left us at the Gap to Guard it and I expect we will have a fight soon...I wish I could see you all once more, but I am in hopes I will. if I live to See my time out I am a coming home a while any how you must tell mother and all of the children howdy for me. You must tell Mr astons folks howdy for me. the Mr. Keens too. I would like you would Send me a Suit of thick Clothes we have had Some Cold wether up here and I need a thick Coat anyhow. You will have a chance to Send them by L. Gordon when he Comes up tell Mr J. B. Keen I would a have wrote to him but I Did not have time Mr. Austin was a coming home and I had a chance to Send you a letter to Huntsville by him I want you to be Sure and Send me a letter by Lang Gordon when he comes up I sent you a letter by Dr Barns to Blacks Well I will asure you we had a hard time when we marched from Knoxville. We have a new lieutenant and captain R G Prewitt Capt Dr. J A Morris Lieut I want you to be sure and wright to me whem Lang comes up I have never drawed any money yet and I am about out they say we will draw soon I have nothing more to wright you must wright soon and direct your letter to Cumberland Gap. So nothing more at present but remain your son until death A. L. Burks to G W Burks