Head Quarters 77^th Regt O.V.I.                     

Helena, Arkansas, Aug 5, 1863.    

    

My very dear Wife:

                                    We arrived here at midnight last night, and are encamped on the river bank, in front of the town. It was very hot this noon, when we pitched our tents, and in a few minutes a hard shower came up—even before we got them all up—which cooled us off very suddenly. I hope it will not affect our health seriously. We are all well.

 

            When we left Memphis last evening, at 5, I sent your letter, which I presume will reach you before this one.

 

            I have a wall tent, in connection with Lieuts. Smithson & West. We can keep very comfortable. I think I'll stand camp life.

 

            Gen. Prentiss is relieved of his command here, and takes command at Memphis, I believe. Gen. Solomon commands the Post at Helena; but we report to Gen. Steele, who is to command the expedition fitting out here for Little / Rock, Texas, Louisiana, or somewhere in the South west. So we will be here but a week or two probably, when we will go on a march—not mounted though, I feel sure. I can stand it if the rest can—especially the officers who ought to be in the Invalid Corps.

 

            Gen. Logan says the fighting is done already in the South west. He thinks the rebels will not stand before us again. That may be, but if they do, I predict they will get whipped. "We'll thrash them so nicely, and treat them so kindly, that they won't go back on Old Abe very hard." Why not, or any other man, if he resists the law?

 

            We have been out to see the town. It is not as large as Waynesburg, Pa., and is a forsaken looking place. We see but few citizens here, except "free Americans of African descent". I suppose they must be called citizens, though I don't think the officer who decided them to be entitled to citizenship much of a judge. 

 

            I must close or the boat will be off. Much love to you all. I will write longer letters when I get time.

                                                           

As ever yours.

A.W. M^cCormick

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