Cairo, Ill, Jan 1, 1864.

 

My very dear Wife

                        We arrived here last night, and will leave for Columbus, via Indianapolis and Dayton, in an hour or two. I was suffering considerably from a cold when I wrote you yesterday from Columbus, Ky., but I am much better now. I guess my cold is broken up so I will be all right soon. I feel first rate this morning. I am now at the Transportation Office with Col. Mason and Q.M. Pearce, to see about getting the train ready. Maj. Stevens is in Alton.

 

            It is very cold here the thermometer indicates about ten degrees below zero I learn. Cold enough for us who are just from Dixie. The boys are suffering some with it. My breath freezes on my moustache before I walk a square.

 

            Write me at once, if you do not come to Columbus. I see a dispatch from here in the Commercial of the 30^th, stating that we left Little Rock Thursday—a week ago yesterday—for Columbus. So I shall expect some letters from you when I get there. I fear this cold weather will scare you out of all idea of coming to Columbus. /

 

            Lieut. West is jubilant over what you wrote in the letter I got in Memphis. He is very anxious to get to Marietta, to see Hattie, and learn from her the reason why he has got no letters.

 

Jan 2. We had an order for transportation by railroad from Cairo to Columbus, O., but the railroad men said the snow storm would prevent the cars from running for a day or two—so they shipped us on board the Str. "New Kentucky" for Cincinnati. She started and came up the river about eight miles where she got "lost in the fog", and ran aground, about midnight last night. She is here on the bar still, but the mail steamer Superior is here now pulling at her. I hope she will be loose soon; and that we will be sent back to Cairo, to go by rail yet. If we are, we will be home soon. If not, we may be weeks, as the river is full of ice above Paducah Ky. If I were in Col. Mason's place, I would order the boat back to Cairo as soon as she is loose.

 

            I am entirely well now. I have a little cold, but "not enough to do any good".

 

            I think we will be furloughed in a day or two after we get to Columbus, as I learn the 66^th, which re-enlisted was given leave of absence in two days after its arrival. I will write or telegraph you soon, when we get to a place where I can.

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