Cairo Ill. Apr. 24^th 1864

 

My Darling Wife:

                        Yesterday I received yours of the 5^th and 13^th which relieved somewhat the anxiety I have felt for the past two weeks. In your letter of the 13^th you say that Mother has come and you expect to start down the river to Ben's in a few days. I will send this to Burlington in care of Ben as you are no doubt there by this time. I sent you a letter the day we reached here to Burlington and one to Dubuque. I have made inquiries for my papers here but as yet have heard nothing of them. I shall look for them evry / day now untill they come. I do hope they will come while we are here. I do not think that I shall be able to draw my pay for a month or so after I am discharged as I shall have to send to Washington for certificates. I shall come home however immediately and settle with government after I get home. As soon as I get a letter from you stating where you are I will write to Uncle Lozenby and request him to send you $100.⁰⁰ by Express. Then we should be able to get home in case I fail to get any here. We have had a terrible time since we reached here. It was raining when we disembarked and has been raining almost continually / ever since. We have all the camp and garrison equipage, knapsacks &c. &c. of the whole Regt. We have but a few men and them nearly all convalescents and unable to do any thing. We had to get all this baggage off the boat and to camp during a heavy shower of rain and the mud knee deep. The water covers almost the entire country. Last night I slept with my bed raised about two feet from the ground on four little stakes, the water about six inches deep all over the floor of my tent. Today is the most dreary Sunday I have past for a long time. I endeavor to take care of myself as much as circumstances will admit Do not give way, my darling Annie, to the blues. I / do hope and pray that our sepparation may not continue much longer. Have unlimited confidence in God when you address Him on this subject, as on all other subjects. Do not delay a moment in writing me upon receipt of this. Direct to

(Co. "B". 33^rd Regt. Wis. Vol.

  1^st Brig. 4^th Div. 17^th A.C.

                        Cairo Illinois.)

 

Give my love to Mother, Ben, and family, and

                                               

Ever believe me

Your faithful & Aff'ct. Husband

George

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