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

Little Rock, Ark., Oct 21, 1863.

 

My dear Daughter:

                        I was much pleased, some time since, to receive a letter from you, and also to learn that you were progressing finely with your studies. I hope to have letters from you frequently while I am in the army.

 

            I have written to ma four or five times since I got a letter from her. I am sure it is the fault of the P.O. Dept that I get no letters. Gen. Steele is going to look into the cause of the mail failures. We have got papers of Oct 9^th, but no letters later than Sept. 21.

 

            This city is about the size of Marietta, and is getting to be quite a lively place.—The people are becoming reconciled to Union rule, and would be very sorry to see the rebels return. So they say, at least. 

 

            I sent ma three new papers and one old one last week. I send you a new one to-day. They will keep you better informed of the situation here than the sensation reports you see in the northern papers about an "expected attack on Little Rock". We have good reason to believe there is no considerable rebel force in a hundred miles of here—not one fourth our numbers—and if they had a larger army than ours we could whip them easy.

 

            They are talking of getting up a Military Ball in the city. If they do, I must go, and see if there are any ladies in Little Rock. We have seen very few since our arrival.

 

            I want you to attend dancing school, if there is any in Marietta, this winter. I think we will have a grand Military Ball in Marietta when the 77^th gets home, and I want you to be a good dancer. If Lynn's picture has never been taken / since your return home, tell ma I want her to get it and send it to me. Also, a new one of herself, taken without her bonnet on, and one of you without any one on the plate with you. You can send them by some one who will be home on furlough, or by mail, as soon as the mail gets regular again. I guess photographs would be best.

 

            I intend to get all the officers' photographs, as soon as they have them, to put in ma's album. What they had are all given away.

 

            Col. Mason is well again, and in command. We have not heard from Col. De Hass or Capt. Ross yet.

 

            Lieut. Smithson has the chills. Capt. M^cNaughton is well. Lieut. West is in command of the guard at the railroad depot, and probably will be for a week or two.

 

            I send you the vote of the 77^th, which you can hand to the Republican or to Mr. Winchester as you choose. Kiss ma and your brothers for me.

 

            My love to all of you. Affectionately             Your                Pa.

SOURCES