Corinth, Miss. Sept. 24^th 1863.

                                                                       

Dear Friend Etta,

                           I shall have to apologise some for my negligence in writing to you for I confess that I have been rather tardy of late but I feel asured that I would be excused if you knew the circumstances under whitch I have been living for nearly two months past. since we were first mounted I have had scarcely time to write home. the mules were placed under my care and I had to ride with the Company three miles twise a day beside to watter besides tending to their feed and the mens rations it has kept me busy nearly all the time and untill lately I have had it to do alone though now I have a man to help me and shall hereafter have more time to myself, and shall be more prompt in my corespondence or at least I shall try to be. 

 

We have just got comfortably fixed for the winter and are waiting very patiently for marching orders whitch I think will come shortly they never failed to come when least desired.

 

you would laugh if you could see us mounted and equiped for a march on our shabby mules and think if the rebles could only see us they would get out of the way well it seems that they do for they hardly ever show us fight we get a shot at them once in a while but they are allways running we have considerable fun riding about hunting Geurillas we never take any thing much to eat it is to troublesome to carry but when meal time comes we divide up in squads and dine or sup whitch ever you have a mind to call it with the reble citizens we ride up and order a warm meal the same as we would at a hotell or eating saloon hitch our mules and go in and make our selves at home the men are generaly very quiet but the women sometimes are / furious but are soon reconciled after we get to talking to them and come to the conclusion that weuns have to do as youns say. but we hope youns wont come very often.

 

I am afraid my letter will not be very interesting to you but answer it and I shall try to do better next time.

 

I rec^d a few lines from John some time ago he spoke of the prospect of a wedding at my Uncles. Annie dont know that there is a Soldier in our Company about to break his heart for her if she did and knew who it was I think she would not be in such a hurry he is one of the best Soldiers we have but you must not tell her what I have said.

 

I must now bring my poorly written and poorly composed letter to a close forgive my tardiness and ever remember me as a friend whose greatest pleasure is in the promotion of the happiness of one who is worthe of the highest esteem. My respects to your Parents and John. Your Friend. H. V. Hoagland. /

 

P.S. Tell John I shall write to him soon and give him an account of the 11 days march we had a short time ago I think it will interest him. Mother sent me some butter whitch she said came from Mrs Quicks it was excelent far better than any I have tasted since I left.

                                                                       

H. V. Hoagland

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