Letter from W.H. W. Cummins to his father Noah H. Cummins, who was being held prisoner during the Civil War.

Johnson Island, Ohio Jan 23rd 1863

Dear Father, I will inform you that I am well as usual and as well satisfied as any one could be to be away from home and a prisoner. We are verry comfortably situated here having good warm houses and good wholesome food and plenty of blankets wood etc.

J. T. East and W. A. Vinson has had the measles but is geting well. It is not so cold here as we supposed it would be tho the weather is changeable and we have had rain and snow and ice it has not been very cold any of the time.
I think if the Union men of our neighborhood will send a pertition signed by several of the Union men to Colonel Hoffman at Washington City that he will order my release.

They all know that there is no charges against me and if they will get up a pertition stating the facts in the case I think from what I learn it will procure my release.

I wrote to you about the 13th of this month you will please answer my letters as soon as you get then as I want to hear from you and direct your letters to Johnson Island Ohio

Your affectionate Son Wm Cummins