Head Quarters 77^th Regt OVI

Little Rock, Ark., Sept 28, 1863.

 

My very dear Wife

                        Your letter of the 8^th inst was received last night and was a very welcome visitor to our lonely little camp eight miles from the city, where my Company is still stationed guarding the steam mill. It found me in excellent health, and enjoying myself tolerably well, under the circumstances. We have plenty to eat, and the rebels don't disturb us, so get along comfortably enough. The people along about the mill are "small farmers", as the planters call them, and are either Union, or willing to be loyal hereafter, and are very kind to us. They all say they me and my Co to stay here as long as the government keeps a guard at the mill. I care but little, as I will be satisfied almost anywhere, so I am doing my duty to my country. I hope we will get letters regularly. / The officers of the 77^th come out to visit me, and seem to envy me my snug quarters in Mr. Dunn's summer kitchen, and our location "out in the wilderness".

 

            The rebel army is gone—I don't know where. I don't believe Price has a thousand effective men under his command. He is said to have passed through Arkadelphia, on his way to Texas. We may be sent after him, but I think it improbable.

 

            I got a Register you sent me, in which I find many items of interest—especially those marked by you. I hope you will keep sending them. I got a Republican of the 3^d. I see it contains a letter I wrote to the "Statesman", from Clarendon, Ark. The resignation of Capt. Sisson mentioned in it failed for want of the approval of Col. Kittredge, who then commanded our Brigade.

 

            They are having quite a dispute in Washington Co. as to how the 77^th boys will vote. It will be two weeks till the election, and they will then show how they vote, if they vote at all. /

 

I am very glad to hear that the children are all well, and that you are getting hearty again. I am so glad to have you all comfortable. You did well to make the bargain you did about the house. I hope you will remunerate Mr. Racer's folks liberally for the favors they have done for you. Give the girls some presents of something they most desire.

 

            Get Capt Benedict to get me another Odd Fellows card when mine expires. Mr. Racer will see him for you; and will take the money to him to pay till the 1^st of April, 1864.

 

            Capt. M^cKitrick came out this morning with a wagon, and a squad of men, bringing our rations and going on to the farm of "Dick" Johnson, a rich rebel, for corn, potatoes and mutton. I will send this letter to the city by him. We got no paper from the north later than the 4^th. We are out of news. I guess we'll get more mail in a day or two. 

 

Col. Mason is mending very slowly—in fact I fear he is hardly on the mend. He seems to be injured internally worse than we thought at first.

 

            Give my regards to all "our girls", and tell Mary I will write her a note soon. I hope Augusta will send on that letter she promised.

 

            Lieut. West got a letter from Marietta yesterday that seems to please him very much. He says it is the best letter he ever got. He says you told the writer of it that you liked Gordon; and I don't know but she is just a little jealous. I told him to say to her that you thought him a pretty clever fellow—but she need not fear that you would fall in love with him. That will make her sleep better, don't you think so?

 

            I have got no letter from Emma yet. I hope the boys of Marietta do not engross all her time. How is that, Em?

 

            Tell Lynn "Papa—huggey—kissey"—Lynnie when he gets home. He'll serve me so too I guess.

 

            Dearest love, write me often

                                   

Yours forever

A.W. M^cCormick

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