August the 27, /63

No 20.

Camped near Black river

 

Dear Mollie

I again take my pen to write a fiew lines to you. I should have writen sooner but have been looking for a letter from you. we had a mail this morning but as usual no letter for me. it is strange that I dont get eny letters. our mail has been small for some time. this morning we got but 6 letters. I think the folks in Iowa must be geting tierd of writing, or the mail may be delayed on the road, for it seams to me as if you wrote to me, your last letter was writen the 19 of July & I have not heard from you since. I often think you are sick, but if you was you would get someone to write for you. I think if you was sick I would hear it from some of the / neighbors that write to the boys, but I dont hear one word from you. I supose you got that money I sent you. some of the boys have heard from theirs, it went through safe & I supose yours did. we have not heard from the boys that went home on furlow but I expect they are doing well. we look for them back in about 10 days. I understood to day that there would be no more furlows given if that should be the case a great many of the boys will be disapointed I would like to come home, but if I cannot I will not be disapointed for I do not expect to get a furlow, if there is any more granted, as I have told you before he does not like me as well as he might, but there is no love lost. we are signing the pay roll to day. the paymaster is here now paying one of the divisions. I think we will get our pay next week. / if we do I will send you some money as soon as I can.

 

The health of our regiment is improving Landon is geting better, Vrooman is improving, & as for myself I am well with the exception of being some weak. the post sergeon was here last week & examined our regiment. he discharged about 50, three from our company, George Wildey, Bierce & E Dewey. I think I will send some some things home with Wildey. they have not got their papers yet but expect them in a day or two. I will send a coat it is a very nice summer coat brown casimer lined with silk. I bot it at jackson for one dollar. I have a wineglass which I got on the trip to Canton from an old rebel planters house. I have a pair of gloves a silk sash & a book which I got out of a rebel napsack which I will send if I can. 

 

Wednesday, 28. I will finish my letter this morning as the mail goes out today. there is nothing of importance going on here, our regiment went out foraging this morning, they expect to be back to night. I saw William [faded] yesterday, the one that lived at [faded]. he is in the 13 Illinois. he says Dow is in Memphis in the security police, that is what will suit him. I will write to him in a fiew days. [?] this time, write all the news you have & how the [?] up there some seem to think the war will end this fall, I dont pretend to say I think the rebs have got about anough in this part.

 

From your husband, now & forever, may this find you all well & harty

O Shibly

 

Mollie C Shibly

 

Tell John to write to me                                                   

      

Tell Henry that I am looking for that drum, I will send him the money soon, so not to stop for that                good by.

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