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

Little Rock, Ark., Oct 10, 1863.

 

My very dear Wife

                        I am expecting a mail to-night, but as a mail leaves in the morning, I write without waiting for a letter from you.

 

            I am still enjoying excellent health, and living comfortably—that is, I am as comfortable as I could expect to be in the army, and away from my dear sweet wife. The comforts of home, are,—to me,—more than any other enjoyment I ever experienced.

 

            I am Officer of the Day of the 1^st Brigade, and have just come in from making a round of the Regiments, giving the Colonels orders to have their camps thoroughly policed. Gen. F. Solomon now commands our Division—Gen. Rice having been relieved, and ordered to take command of the 2^d Brigade of our Division. Col. W. E. M^cLean, of Terre Haute, Ind., commands our Brigade. Col. Mason is again in command of the 77^th Regt. 

 

We have just heard a report that Gen. Rosecrans has been reinforced, and has had another battle with the rebels, whipping them soundly and taking about 36,000 prisoners. We are all hoping it is true, but still have some fears that it may not be correct.—How it will make our hearts leap for joy to hear it confirmed, if true, to-night, when the mail comes. It would ensure the end of the war in a few months.

 

            I am very anxious to get home to my dear little family. You know, dearest, how much I enjoy being with you, and receiving your caresses. You are ever so dear to me—always so kind and good—and the children all love me too. I love you all so dearly that nothing can give me greater pleasure than to be with you. May the happy day soon come.

 

            The Paymaster has not visited us yet, and you can guess I am getting pretty short of funds—especially as Lieut. Pearce has not paid me the $24 he got of me in Alton. I have been lending to the men, too, which took / considerable of my money. Capt. M^cNaughton paid me the $20 he borrowed, or I should have been out now. I hope to have enough to do till the middle of next month, and by that time the Paymaster will give us four months pay, I think. If we had a Sutler, we might borrow a few "Greenbacks" if we run out—but we have none. Perhaps we are less likely to run out, because we have none.

 

            I am not acquainted with a dozen citizens of Little Rock yet; and with but one lady—the landlady where Capt. M^cNaughton boards. Don't you think it must be awful dull here for me? This isn't Marietta, or even Alton, but a dull unsociable place. I care but little, however, as I do not think the people here intelligent and refined enough, as a general thing, to make their society very desirable—in fact I have not tried to cultivate their acquaintance. H. Nelson Smithson, died here on the 7^th, of consumption. He was a good boy, and died willingly. Peace to his ashes. 

 

Maj. Stevens has just been in to have me teach him how to play chess. He thinks it a grand game—the only one, he says, "which a man can profitably play in camp". I told him I would teach him—to call in at any time he is at leisure. He says he has got his tent fixed up now just to suit him—all he wants to make him comfortable is the presence of his wife. Why not, "or any other man"! I could be comfortable if mine were here.

 

            Say to the friends who expect letters from me, not to get impatient to know what I am going to say—I fear it will not be very interesting. We have no news here that any of you care to hear, I presume; and the kind of life we live here is not calculated to make a man write anything very poetical. Still, I will write them, and endeavor not to weary them with any long prosy disquisitions.

 

            Emma and Frank should write me often. Lee and Lynn can send me some kisses, and you can do both.

 

            Lt. Smithson is better. Lt. Scott says he is going to have his wife come to Little Rock. Lillie Bennett says Sallie is complaining of "Rheumatism". I have just written notice of Nelson Smithson's death for the papers. Please send the enclosed to the Republican. I send one to the Register myself.

                                                                                   

As ever, dearest love, yours      Mac.

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