[June 4, 1863 per envelope]

 

Walnut Hills 2 miles from Vicksburg

 

My Dear Wife Emelia

                                    Since I last wrote I have received 3 letters from you one May 4^th one 11^th one April 11^th. The oldest ones came last I was glad enough to get them for we had received one mail and I got nothing but I have not got all that is due me yet. I am glad you are geting along so well, but I presume you put the best side out to me I was glad to hear that Mary Eliza had arrived with her little girl. I dont know but I done wrong to send her and I am sorry you felt blue about it but you need not worey her being in family way for her husband told me positiveley that it was not so. I made no bargain with her and do not want you to untill you find how she does. her fare will not be much for she had a pass to Cairo and you need not say a word to any one about it unless McLeish mentions it to you I will settle with him I am bound he shall do something for freedom as he has never done any thing yet. I am almost ashamed to write to you for you write such good long letters that I begin to think that I cant write a decent letter. I wrote in my last that we wer going into camp we are in a nice shady place and have made ourselves comfortable I am not going to write you / any thing about our position here or about our movements for you will see it all in the papers before you could get it from me, but if I live will tell you all. I wrote that you need not send me any thing if you had not but as you have got every thing so near ready and we have direct communication with the Mississippi by way of the Yazoo, I think you had better send them just as you intended. I like the pants very much and I shall think so much of them for Emelia made them for me but I am afraid you deprive yourself of things to get things for me but you must not. I shall look very fine on dress parade with my new vest and pants I went to see John Haskell the next day after I wrote you but he had gone to the hospital boat and they thought he would be sent to Keokuk he was doing fineley and will get well. I have got his knife needle book pipe and pocket book with $1.50 in money I will send them to him or to his folks the first chance. I am glad Kit is so gentle I will get the mate for her when I get home. I am glad you have made Miss Earhart for I think I should like her though I never saw her. you say you hardley think she is the one to do her duty by him I hardley know what you mean by that. What does she say about Johnson. You say folks talk bad about him. I presume those that talk are worse than he is. The story is here that she will have no more to say to him how is it dont say a word / to any one about it. You say the story is that he drinks and gambles I will tell you all I know about it. Last winter when we wer all sick with diareha &c he sent to Chicago and got some pure brandey and drunk some himself but gave most of it to the company and other sick ones in the Regt. I drunk a little myself and it helped me mor than any thing elce I should not have done it if I had been at home for I could have done something elce, but dont you be troubled about me Emelia for I shall be a man and write you the truth about myself, and return to you as good as when I left. I do not say that Johnson has not drunk more than he ought to for I think he has but there has been lies enough told about him to sink a gun boat as for his gambleing I dont believe he does for I never saw him play cards and I have heard him say that he never did and had no taste for it I think he is in company with Case which will not do him any good but Rainier and H Gulick lies about him he is a kind hearted man and is wiling to do any thing for a man that is sick or in trouble. they both dislike him because he did not think they wer the best men in the company and give them a position. I heard yesterday that Henry had gone home he will have big stories to tell but it is impossible for him to tell the truth. you need not believe a word he says about any of us. Write me what he / has to say. I charge you not to say a word to any one about what I have wrote for it would make me trouble but if any one says any thing about Capt Johnsons drinking or any thing elce about him you can tell them for me that he is better than those that talk about him. I am very glad you got the syringe for me I thought once of sending for one but did not. I wish you would ask Mrs Wallace how to treat Diarrhea in camp you know we cannot do the same as at home Give my regards to Samey Haskel and tell him to cheer up I am glad you are takeing so much pains with the garden and house I shall think so much of it but you must not over work. I shall draw Lieutenants pay from April 1^st it amounts to a little over $110 per month and I shall send you all I possibley can out of it. I have to board and clothe myself Crozer and I get along very well but I will tell you sometime. I think the paper you have put on the bed room is pretty how I wish I could see it. You must not set any time for me to be at home but I shall be with you as soon as I can honorabley. I think you done right not to do any thing about a sword. it is all right I know you will miss Mr Campbell much. how kind he has been and how much he has done for us. I wish he could have staid till I got home but I suppose it is all right. I hope Hancock will do good work for you and pay for the cow. You must have some one look sharp for you when they thrash divide the corn &c at the farm you think Mr. C. flatters you. I dont think so peticularley when he says you made a good bargain when you married ha-ha. I hope the colts will get over the distemper. Did you go to Marthia's wedding I am pleased to hear that the children are well but you dont say any thing about yourself. please let me know how you are I have wrote to John and Vina and shall look for an answer soon. the next time you write him tell him how to direct letters to me. I was glad to Aunts letter but felt bad to know that she was sick. I think she has been quite sick I hope and pray she may live to see us again. This sheet is full and I must take another

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