Black river Aug [faded] /63.

            No 23.                                    

Camp Sherman

 

Dear Mollie,

I received a letter from you last night dated Aug 27, No 18. I have got all of your letters that you have writen since we have been here. I think I have writen 2 to your one, but I have had the time to write & you have not. your letter brought me very sad news, that of the death of Joseys litle girl. how hard it must be for her to give her up, but I trust she has gone to that heavenly place where all is peace & hapiness. we must all leave this world sooner or later & I trust we shall meet her in that land whare all is bright & hapy, where thare is no war no suffering, no fighting hand to hand in the bloody contest. how cruel it is, but I think it will end before long. one campain more I think will finish it if we have good success. /

 

you said Lillie was very sick. how I wish icould see her, but I cannot until the war ends. I am afraid Clarence will take the same disease if he should it will go hard with him for he has been sick so much, but I know you will take good care of them. if you have a good doctor dont neglect sending for him in time, it is beter to pay a fiew dollars than to think you have neglected your children. I sent a letter by Landon. he said he would go & see you, he can tell all about the boys & my self. I have got to be well & harty again. we had a grand review yesterday our whole division was out. our regiment is so small that we are consolidated with the 4 Iowa to drill, & when we go into action, I think unless we are filled up with conscripts we will be consolidated, but I hope not. I dont wanto give up the 31. / we have at preasent about one hundred & 20 men for duty. we have in all about 500. some are on detatched service & the balance are sick. I am afraid our grand review is the bging of another campain. we have never had one but what a march soon folowed. some of our leading men think we will stay here until spring. I hope we may for I think we have done anough for one season unless they mean to wind up the rebellion this fall. if that is the object we are ready to move at eny time. you did not say eny thing about that drum. I was in hopes you would let me know if Henry had it yet or not. we have got the money all ready for him & would have sent it with Landon if I new the drum was coming. if we dont get it I think Landon will get one on the his way back. /

 

Sept the 9. I will finish my letter this morning as George Wildy is going home to start home to day & I will send this with him. I had my likeness taken this morning which I will send with him & 2 combs, a coat, book, sash, wine glass, a rule for measureing distence on a map. I hope he will get them through safe for I want you should have them.

 

I thought I would have my likeness taken to let you see how I look with my mustash. it is not a very good likeness but as well as they can do. I dont no but they will take those things away from him but I thought I would risk it. no more this time. I am well at present & may this find you all the same.

 

good by From Oliver to Mollie

           

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