As I have hitherto failed, it seems, to say what kind of a company mine is, I will explain that it is in a "regular way" that the subsistence pay and clothing are the same as those of the U.S. Army. I expect my men to be armed with first-class rifles. To-day I go down to Buckhannon to muster in my men. Here have I been in this service now three weeks, and this is the first opportunity for that ceremony. The officials of this new state are, if possible, slower more inefficient and formal than those of Ohio. In the course of a few weeks I will have sufficient numbers (83) to muster into the U.S. service. I will be attached to the 7^th Regt Virginia Volunteers. I do not believe there will be much fighting in Kentucky. Missouri will soon be "cleaned out" if the Administration so desire. Eastern Virginia will be in our possession by the 8^th of January—the navigation of the Mississippi will be opened to us again—the Southern coast will be almost entirely in our possession—then will the snake be encircled / by a cordon of fire, and, if the head of this government so wills it, this great Nation will once more own throughout its limits one Constitution, law will triumph, security will be felt, agriculture prosper, commerce revive—the Star-Spangled banner will kiss the balmy southern breeze as well as revel in the roaring northern blasts. God speed the day!

 

            If you can occasionally send me some literary or pictorial paper, it would serve as a change, and be very palatable.

 

            The Pay Master of the Fifth has not yet got around. The delay is most unjust and unjustifiable. We were the very first new regiment organized in the United States for this war. Why we have not been paid is beyond my comprehension. Getting neither pay or fight made me seek this service. My fine horse "Auditor" is doing well. He is a splendid riding animal. I have sent off six prisoners and sworn four. Next week I expect to take a hunt after the animals / If any misfortune should happen to me, you will promptly hear of it. But don't be uneasy—don't borrow trouble. Whenever you find yourself doing so, remember the story of the girl who sat one evening before the fire, in a very brown study. All at once she burst out sobbing and crying. Her mother asked her what in the world was the matter? "O, Mother," she sputtered out in her tears, "I was just thinking—boo—that if I was married—boo—hoo—and had a baby—boo—hoo—hoo—how dreadful!" That's the way lots of people borrow trouble even before marriage about burnt babies.

 

            I feel proud of Ripley. Glory everlasting entwine the brows of her brave people. May she have slight cause to mourn her generosity of manhood in this greatest of all recorded rebellions.

 

            Those words occasionally found on the margin of your papers are very welcome and intensify the pleasure of their perusal. I have no objections to more of / the same sort By the way, was Lieut Ridgway with his wife at the time of her death? I thought a great deal of her, a lady so patriotically devoted to her husband and her country.

 

            I have heard nothing from the Ohio election. News of every kind seems so long getting here and when we do hear anything we set it down until twice confirmed, as the very opposite of the truth. For of all the countries to raise heirs in, this beats creation. Suckling babes will roll them out bigger than prize pumpkins.

 

            This is not a lie, however. In the adjoining county of Webster there is a man who is the father of 34 children, all by one wife, and none of them twins! O, what a prolific soil for—several things!

 

            But I have to close and start. Hope the little ones are well and good. Love to Mother.

                                                                                   

Ever Yours,

Will Tomlinson

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