Camp Kiamitia April 24^th 1863

 

            Dear wife I embrace this opportunity of writing to you again to let you know I am in tolerable health at this time and hope these lines may find you all in the enjoyment of the same great blessing. I started a letter to you on the 22 inst by mr Sullivan in which I sent you two hundred dollars and also sent my horse by him he lives some 10 miles from gainsville down Elm he was to deliver the horse and letter to you at Gainsville for which I paid him five dollars I sent the saddle bridle & saddle cloth also I did not try to sell my horse here as I did not bring him this side of the river and there are a great many coming now a horseback with horses to sell I hardly know how to advise you in regard to selling the horses if mr Gooden sells the place perhaps you had as well keep them till fall. I wrote to you I would send some more money by Parson Hamel but if I do I shall have to borrow it as I cannot leave [paper hole] as all that was not in last friday will not draw more until next pay day which will be the last of this month if they then McKinley & William Downard have drawn their first payment they only draw twelve dollars per month Since we were dismounted I have not tried for a transfer yet orders were read on patrol a few evning ago that there would be no more transfering But I talked with major stone this morning he thought I could get one. I am in hopes I will hear from Col Diamond to night I had thought I would not try till got the papers from him though we have orders to leave here to morrow in the direction of Boggy Depot I suppose our destination will be to meet the Feds as we have heard that they are across the river at Gibson that is on this side of the river to the amount of fifteen hundred

 

I am some what uneasy about northen Texas this summer if feds are aiming to come through as the Indians will join them as they come in and our army here I am afraid is not very stable and will not do to depend on to much probaly I will have a chance to write to again soon as we will apt to make a stand some place between boggy depot & Fort Smith 

 

6 Oclock in the eving Dear wife I will write a few more lines this evening if parson Hamel comes I think I shall send you some money by him any how as I dont know when I will have another chance to send to you as I do not know that I will try for a transfer as orders were read this evening that their would be no more transfers granted until they go to head quarters at Richmond then it would have to appear that the person transfered was incompetent from serving the place where he was these orders were from Gen^l Le at headquarters. there are $203.70 been paid to the other boys and 24 more due the last of this month I will pay send you 153 dollars now if I have a chance and have more to spare when I draw I will send it to you you had better pay that judgment off and if you need more you can get it of mr Fletcher or some of them around there. if I had gold here I could buy up as much [paper hole] confederacy as I would want five for one I heard a man to day offer 190 dollars in Confederate notes for twenty five in gold I sorrow I cannot get to come home again now but it is useless now to try to get leave of absence and the time for leaving without is past you must do the best you my dear wife and not take things to heart to much I know you will think of me much which will be a pleasure to me or rather a consolation as it is no pleasure to be separated from you even in the defense of my country. I want you to write to me as often as you can if you write by mail direct your letters to Paris Letter I Hawpes regiment Spates Brigade of dismounted cavalry our captain has not come in yet it is getting late I must bring my letter to a close by send you Eddy Johny & Willy my best respects also Jess & Matilda & the children give my respects to inquiring friends

 

So no more now but remain your afectionate

husband & Father                                                                              

Thomas W. Johnson

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