No 18.                                                                                                

August the 4, /63

Camped near Black river

 

Dear Mollie,

It is but a fiew days since I wrote to you, it was on the 30 of June, but I thought I would make up lost time. we have had a hard march since the 4. I had no chance to write but one letter & that was when we were at Jackson. we are now in camp I think for the summer. when the fall campaign commences I think we will go east unless the rebels come back. they say it is of no use to fight us in this state, so you see we are no nine 9 months men, we are good for three years unless the war ends. I think six months more will close the war, or nearly so. the most of the regiments are geting furlows. Mr Roberts & Henry Robinson from co B of the 9 are agoing to start to morow if their papers come, & they are looking for them to night. /

 

our regiment has not had eny orders, if they have they keep it very still. our captain does not say eny thing about it now. he was fast for going home until he found that it would cost him over a hundred, since then he has not said much about it.

 

I heard from you day befor yesterday Vrooman got a letter from home it was dated July 20. Kate said she had been over to see you & you was geting along quite smart. I tell you I was glad to hear it. we had a mail to day but no letter for me Vrooman got one I will excuse you for not writing for the present, but when you get well I want you should make up loss time. Mary, I hope this will find you well again. I am well & harty & hope I will be as long as I am in the service, for it is a hard place to be sick Vrooman is not very well he has been / sick for a week or more. he is some better now. August the 4, I will send this with Henry Robinson, he will leave it at the station or send it to you. you spoke of sending those likenesses. if you have not sent them when you get this you had beter send them with Robinson. I was told this morning that 4 men from co E had their furlows writen out last night, if that be so we will stand some chance yet. I think I will come home this fall if I can get a furlow, but that is doubtful. those that go home canot stay thare more than 10 days. it will take them 20 days to go & come, so you see it wont hardly pay to start. they say it will cost $50 dollars & I think that is most to much for a poor soldier. well mary I dont no as I have much more to write this time. Charles Rogers / is very sick. he has gone up the river with two others. there is a considerable sickness here now. may this find you all well again is all that I ask. from you husband, O Shibly

To Mollie C Shibly

 

I will write a fiew lines to Henry Aldric, if you have that bass drum yet I will buy it & pay you the money as soon as we are paid again. I would send the money with Henry Robinson but the boys are short. they say as soon as they get pay they will pay me, for they never will have eny good music unless they have a bass drum. you asked 10 dollars for it when we were at Davenport. if it is as good as it was there I will give you $18 dollars, if you can have it cut off about one & a half inch on each end I will it will be a great deal better From your friend O Shibly

 

August the 8, /63                               

Harry Aldrich

Henry if you have a chance to send that drum do so & I will send you the money

[margin] our major says he will see that I have my pay, yours with respect, O Shibly

         

H Aldrich

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