Rolla Mo Sept 12^th 1862

 

Dear Sarah This is the 3^d day since I left you & I have forgot what what day of the month it is but we have been here one day & 2 nights I am in better health than I have been since I left home excep I coughed very hard last night our companys health is better than at any previous day not a sick man in camp this morning that I know of (IE) Co's.

 

Of our trip there was nothing of importance happend excep 2 of Orme^s Irish jumped off while the cars were running one they did not get & they went back some distance but did not get him. the other one they got it did not hurt him but little he was verry drunk but jumped clear 

 

the country from here to St Louis is the most miserable country & crops verry poor excep peaches & apples where there are trees fruit is plenty Rolla is a scattering town of 400 inhabitance scattered over that many acres of land with large buildings of small logs for government stores It rained part of the day we came up here & night & part of yesterday in hard showers I really felt sorry for the boys when we got here being no place to lay they seemed lost & scattered like sheep some to find shelter others supper & varrious causes but most of them got into an old government house 3 companies lay down on the floor & generally slept well Mann & I went to a hotell got supper & slept on the floor yesterday we roamed at large having no orders to do anything About night we got our tents all new & good we struck them & slept for the first / night on the ground all well pleased with the change we got 21 tents for our company being 5 men to a tent We also got our mules & had a big time haltering them most of them were unbroke & with today we hitch in & move to camp 2½ miles out to a spring how long to stay I do not know some say only until a Briggade arrives some 5 regiments are here now So we may go to Springfield in a few days certain it is we will not be idle long as there is to much to do But there is no alarm here now yet some gurrillas are seen & taken occasionly Last night or this morning was verry cold & chilly the boys hovered around the fire close & drew their blankets close around them but the sun comes out a little & I think it may be fair a while the men are drilling in arms & I must close / close so as to join. Write me here & my letters will follow us up I got a paper this morning but no letter I hope to hear from you often & I will write of all moves as I can write at night in my tent as it is near mail time I must close James Enlow is well & Emmett S also we are fast gaining reputation among the officers & men So good by

                                                           

My Loved one

O Barnard

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