October the 7^th A.D. 1863

Camp Hopefield Arkansas

 

Dear and Beloved Wife with the greatest of pleasure it is that I can once more enjoy the present oportunity of righting you a fiew lines in answer to your kind and much welcomed letter which I received today and I was very glad to hear that you was all well but I felt very much hurt to think that I cant come home to see you and to fix the house for you But I will tell you all about it the reason why Fred Hawk is going to get one he says that he has some business that he will have to atend to or he will / loose his place but I cant tell for my part what business he has to atend to But Cordelia I will come just as soon as I can get a furlough that you may rest asured on for O^h Cordelia I think the time very long to get home to see you and them little children O^h Cordelia I would like to come home in the place of sending this letter if I could but I cant O^h Cordelia I wish this war would come to an end for I would like to get home once more Well Cordelia I received a letter from / Wooster yesterday and I am going to answer it today I have answered everey letter that I have they have riten well Cordelia I must tell you about a small axident that hapened hear yesterday A J Teeple and S L Gorsline and R Dutcher and William Wetter and Jacob Meyers started to go acrost the river yesterday they all got into a scift and there was three womens and to other men in with them and they started and got about eight rods from the oposite side of the river and the river was very ruf and the scift sunk and if it had not have been for Andy Teeple and Sil Gorsline the rest / would have all dround but they got them all out safe. Well Cordelia we are going to stay hear we had marching orders some time ago but they have recalled that order and we are going to stay where we are Fred Hawk has not done aney duty for some time he is complaining all the time But I think he is just as harty as I am but he is playing off to get a furlough but you must not say aney thing about it to marandy but Fred Hawk has not used me very nice since we have ben in the survice

 

well Cordelia I will bring my letter to a close buy telling you that I am well and harty and I hope when those fiew lines may find you all enjoying the best of health

 

So nothing more But I remain your Beloved Companion Hugh Bay to

Cordelia Ann Bay & children

 

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O^h Cordelia I would like to be at home with you today

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