O Barnard 1^st Lieutenant

            direct to (Benton Barracks Mo)

                        Company I. 94 Regt Ill Volunteers

            (Benton Barracks Mo)

 

August 27 1862

Benton Barracks St Louis Mo

           

Dear Wife

                        I am here amid tumult stir & confusion wors than a dozen hous cleanings yet all goes on with the most cheerful liveliness all the boys seem in the highest spirits We came in to barracks or houses that has not been used since July May but I will return to trip yet nothing of importance occurred only after we had been some time on the road William Lane came through our car & when he saw Irvin & I he looked kind of blank & said but little but claimed he was going to join Briscos Co But I told the boys to look after him until I found the Colonel but some of the boys found the Colonel first / so Irvin & Mann took him prisoner to Orme while he claimed to be in Briscos Co & he let him go to his Co as he said he would but did not I learned where he was agan & went to him & talked to him he claimed to be union in full but was quite intoxicated & some of his cronies claimed him strong union but Brisco came up took him again before Orme & being no positive proof against him they concluded to put him off near or between Carlinville & Alton I think he blames me for his trouble I told him we were going after Secesh & we would tend to him first So co I took the first prisoner after we went into service

 

Our Company was verry civil or nearly all of them but some of the Regiment cut up some ugly capers if they did do it for fun / They got to shooting at dogs & from that some one shot a cow all where the cars were running finally a nice hog ran along the track near the cars & some of Capt Ormes company our boys said began to shoot & some 8 or 10 shots were fired & the hog fell wounded in two places then shooting was put a stop to We got to Alton about 12 oc I think. all went on board one boat though large it was covered from galley to hurricane deck & all bunked down in all convenient or other place that was to be used I did not sleep any as it was so warm others done well we got to St Louis about day all went on shore formed in line & there stood until we got tired then we broke rank & went where they pleased got breakfast & coffee &c I had the head ache & could get no tea now if you stop reading you will pity me but read on / I finally thought I would try some coffee so reluctantly I tryed it & I must say & never enjoyed a cup of drink & one that done so much good my head stoped aching immediately & I went on my way rejoicing. We marched out 4 miles through dust part of the way 2 inches thick & as hot as I ever see it I bought & have drank a tin cup evry meal since buying though our boys went jumping & stood it well Union sentiment was very strong water was carried out evry few houses & cups glasses dippers &c to drink out of flags hung out of many windows & one continual cheer was received & returned the march & whiskey was to hard for some one man was sun struck & died before morn he was from Livingston was a married man & was sent home he had been drunk 3 days I feel quite well I had a little touch of diarea but have had no operation to day we have drilled but little but will commence to morrow

           

your devoted Husband for ever

O Barnard

 

[sideways overwritten]

 

The shock at the dispatch to Samuel was verry great to me I only hope for the [?] if he die (Clarence) do all you can to console them even if you take her home for home a while for she will be verry lonely I had hard work to get him off there will be no furlow for any until orders are changed & they will not be soon but be cheerful I think we will fare well while here & I will write often   write by Samuel if you can

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