No. 85.                                                           

31^st Iowa Regt. 1^st Div 15 Army Corps

January 20^th 1865.

 

Dear Mollie               

As Len has been writing I thought I would commence a letter to you. it is almost night & has rained all day & looks as though it might rain all night. it makes very dul times for a soldier. we are compelled to stay in our litle tents all day or get wet & that is not very pleasent this time of the year. I received a letter from you & Dow the 17^th I was glad to get it as I always am when I get a letter from you. I had not had a letter from you for more than a month. you spoke about Johns folks having a young son I am glad to hear that they have one & hope they will have good luck with it 

 

well Mary we are preparing for an other campain. yesterday we rejoined our brigade about 3 miles from Beaufort. I think we will take up our line of march in about a week & perhaps sooner. the boys are all ready, waiting for the time to come when the drum shall beet the long roll. they wanto go the whole length of South Carolinia if the boys could have their way thare would not a stone be left unturned not a building but what would be laid to ashes. this is the state whare secession commenced & I think here it will end. I hope you have the money I sent you by this time as I sent it the 28 of last month. I want you should make your self & children as comfortable as you can, for it must be very cold up thare. for that reason / I like this climate & that only. I cannot write more to day so good by.

 

Saturday 21^st

I will finish my letter to day & send it to town with some of the boys. I think we will go from here to Charlston & from thare to Whilmington Fort Fisher is in our hands now it was taken last sunday morning with two thousand prisoners & 70 peaces of artilery. our loss was about 5 hundred. the way between here & Richmond is now nearly open & I think we will see Richmond yet before our time of service expires. well mary I cannot eny more this time as the boys are going to town & I wanto send this by them. write often, I will write when I can. we are going on a march & thare is no telling when / I can write again. Mary when you are geting clothing for your self & children I think you had beter get wosterd goods for they are much cheaper than calico & a greateal warmer.

 

you did not say enything about James, whare is he & how is his health what is Chauncy doing.

 

I was glad to hear that Dow was at home yet. he has had a good long viset & I hope he has enjoyed him self. I no I would if I had the same chance. about 7 months more & then I will come home on furlow & go back when I get ready & that will not be very soon.

 

my health is very good, the company is as well as usual.

 

no more this time. From yours as ever,

To Mollie C Shibly from O Shibly

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