St Louis Oct 23, 1862

 

My Dear Emelia

                                    We arrived here about noon today we get along very well on the whole. We rode down on a barge loaded with oats but we had a good roof of tarpaulin Soon after we left LeeClair a man from a Lyons Co fell over and was drowned this seemed sad. I could not find out whether he had a family or not. We are to sleep on the old barge tonight, and tomorrow we are to go onto another boat and go to Helena Arkansas this was entirely unexpected / to the Col. and all the rest no one is allowed to go on shore though I got a chance with H Gulick Rainier and two or three others to go up with the Captain after some provisions and we saw something of the city. it is quite a place though it is a southern city. Helena is about 450 miles below here as near as I can find out and about 150 below Memphis so you see we shall soon be near warm work. I cannot tell you much about the places or the countrey on the way comeing down. We passed Nauvoo and saw the ruins of the old Temple I shed tears as we passed it, thinking of poor uncle Timothy and Aunt Matilda. The men are / mostley in good health Dorrity wishes me to say that he is well and in good spirits and wants his wife to be hapy and content. When you write direct to Helena Co C 26 Regiment Iowa Volunteers

 

Since I have been writing I have heard that there was another man missing and they think he was drowned. Give my regards to all and kiss Ralph and baby for me. I am well and brave and shall do my duty like a man. Let me take you in my arms and kiss you and say good night. God bless you all I shall write when I can

 

Ever your true Husband

George

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