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

1^st Brigade, 3^d Div. 16^th Army Corps,

                        Arkansas Expedition,            

Duval's Bluffs, Ark., Aug 26, 1863.

 

My very dear Wife

                        I wrote you from Glen Dale on the 21^st, and from here on the 24^th. This morning Quartermaster Pearce came from Alton, and brought with him a letter from Father and one from sister Mary Ann. By them I learn that Brother Elisha is no longer with us on earth. He has had a long and painful illness which he has borne with patience, and I trust his spirit is now enjoying the bliss of a better world. He was always kind to me, and did for me many favors which I hoped sometime to reciprocate. But an All-Wise Providence has decreed that he should leave us, and we should all be reconciled to His will. I enclose you the letters. They contain many items of news which will be interesting to you.

 

            The three Purman boys have been unfortunate. I am sorry for old George Kingsley, but I do not pity those who are mentioned as having been drafted. The wonder is that none of our relations have been drafted in Pennsylvania. I will answer their letters, but I hope you will write them also. Grandpa has always been so kind, and thinks so much of you, he would feel neglected if you did not write him. Mary Ann is very sensitive too, and will expect an answer sooner than you will get this. Write to them, love, after writing to me. 

 

            Lieut. Criswell writes from Moundsville that Col. De Hass has been nominated for Congress—and as he will have but little opposition, of course he will be elected. As he takes his seat in about eight weeks, he will doubtless resign his place in the 77^th before long, and there will be a Lieut. Colonelcy vacant. As the Regiment is to be filled up with drafted men, there will be little doubt all vacancies will be filled.

 

            Our Cavalry had a fight yesterday, at Brownsville a small place said to be 25 miles from here. As about 70 prisoners were brought in, I judge the rebels got the worst of it.

 

            Gen. Hurlbut, it is said, will soon arrive here with more forces, and will take command of the expedition. He is said to be a good officer. His Division fought gallantly at Shiloh.

 

            We are making out Pay-Rolls to-day, as we muster for pay next Monday. I don't think we will march from here before that. I suppose we will be paid in a couple of weeks.

 

            I am always so much pleased to get letters from you. I like your style of writing just as you would talk in personal conversation with me. I know you feel in earnest when you call me such endearing names as "Dear, Good, Sweet love", and say that "it seems like getting out of Paradise since you left, but we can stand some hardships after so much sweet"—as you do in a letter I got this morning. I appreciate and reciprocate the sentiment. While I get such letters, I am happy as I can be in your absence. I hope to get one—if not two or three—every mail—long and full of news and sweet things.

 

            Capt. M^cNaughton and his Company came up from Clarendon, on the Steamer "Sallie List" this morning. I read him a couple of short extracts from your letter—your thanks for the album and the remarks of the young lady in Alton—which seemed to please him. He sends his respects. 

 

The rain storm in Helena did not injure me. If we get along with only an occasional ducking, I think I can stand it. I got thoroughly soaked on the march from Clarendon to Glen Dale, and had to sleep on the ground with but one blanket for me and one for Lieut. West. He was sick, but I stood it first rate.

 

The nights are quite cool here now. Some of the men who left their blankets at Helena for fear they would have to carry them, suffered no little with cold. I made my men each bring one woolen blanket,—besides their rubber blanket—and they now thank me for it—though at the start they dreaded carrying them. We got them hauled most of the way, however.

 

            All our officers are here now but Lt. Col. De Hass and Capt. Ross. I presume Col. De Hass got his leave extended when at Gen. Schofield's Head Quarters in St. Louis—but I don't know how Capt Ross can stay. Dr. Wall, Lts. Fisher, Mitchell, and Pearce, came this morning, from detached service at Alton.

 

            Maj. Hendrickson has been relieved, at his own request, of the command of Alton Military Prison; and Col. Geo. W. Kinkead, of the 37^th Iowa, is left in command. It is rumored that Col. De Hass will have command of the Prison, but I think there is some mistake about this.

 

Lt. Criswell writes to Capt. M^cNaughton that there are to be several Regiments raised in West Va., and that they will get the Field Offices of one. I can get one if I wish.

 

            I am glad your relatives speak so kindly of me. I hope I may always merit their esteem. As for your brother James political talk, I pay but little attention to it. He says many things for talk's sake. He thinks Henry is dead, probably, and feels badly. When his other son lost his life in the army, he said if he could get Henry out of the service, / the government might go to the Devil, or something like this. I seldom say anything on such subjects to him, since I know how he talks. It is not worth while to talk much about national affairs just now, especially for those in the Army. It is our place to fight until the rebels offer to lay down their arms, and return to their allegiance. Then we can talk to them about terms—and I feel confident the government will accept peace on terms as good as the rebels deserve.

 

Give me all the news when you write. If you find interesting articles of news in the papers, cut them out and forward them, enclosed in your letters—as I get but few papers here. Put on plenty of stamps to make it sure, as they will not come if only part paid. By the way, I would like you to enclose me a few stamps.

 

            I wrote to Augusta yesterday, and I believe to Mary Racer from Helena. I am very anxious for news from Marietta, and I hope you will all tell me everything of interest, of a local or general nature. Remember, I have heard nothing from them of much account for a month or two. I got to see a Republican of the 30^th ult., and a Register of the 7^th inst., however, which did some good.

 

A large number of our boys have the chills—especially those who brought no blankets. I got somewhat chilly last night, but soon got warmed up without a shake, and am well to-day.

 

            I must get ready for supper, which will soon be ready. Ira Newlen and Jas. Brunell have just been out to a house not far from camp, and an old lady gave them some sweet potatoes, which they divide with me. She told them if they wanted any fresh pork, to kill some of her hogs, but they said they would not do it.

 

            My company was on picket last night—but as Captains are not sent out on picket, I slept in my tent.

 

            Lt. West is not much sick now. He is at work on the Pay Rolls. Lieut. Smithson is having the chills severely, and talks about resigning. He has just got over the dysentery. Dr. Cooke talks some of resigning too. Capt. Sisson is still in the service, though he says he will be out as soon as he can.

 

            My best love to you, dearest, and to my darling children. Write me very often, sweet, you know how much I prize letters from my love.

 

            My kind regards to our friends—in Marietta and vicinity. Tell Emma and Frank I am looking for letters from them.                       

 

As ever yours                  

A.W. M^cCormick

                                                           

Direct as before.

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