Z.T. Smith,
Dear Son, I seat myself to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well and am hoping this letter finds you in good health. I have nothing of interest to write to you. We are still in camp at the same place we were when you left. There is talk of us movig to Mobile but we don't know weather we will or not. I have not gotten any letter from home yet. If you have heard anything from home you must let me know. I am in hopes that you have got good quarters and have got in better health. You must take good care of yourself and not expose yourself to any more than you are ablidged to do and try and get well. You must write to your mother and sisters and let them know where you are and how you are and where to direct a letter to you. We are where we get no news at all. We don't know what is a going on at all in the outside world. Let me know what you have gotten in your mess and how you are getting with the company and what your Captain said about you not coming back no sooner weather they have excused you or not. They have been a Court Martialing some of the men that did not come back when their furlow was out but I don't know what they have done with them yet. I think it is done with if I were in your place. I would tell Captain to send for Casper Heaton he has as much right to be in the Army as you have. You must try and keep out of bad habits and bad company. I must close for the present, direct you letters to Company D, 3rd Regiment, Alabama Rserves. Mobile, Alabama. Yours until death.
E.R.A. Smith