Camp Owen Indianapolis 10^ber.4.1862

My dear friend Alexander Roeser.

 

It’s a little space on my sheet left yet. I therefore devote a few lines to you before we are going to leave for the South from where very propably a great many of us never will return again. for we exspect to have some fighting to do down in Dixy.

 

            For my part I’d sooner go down the Missisippi then to Kentucky again we will not have to travel that much & at the same time see a new country and the father of the american rivers I hope that we shall leave soon to get into a warmer country. for it is allready very cold here in our cloth houses without stoves & straw the plancket I sent home I am missing very much too can’t help it could not do otherwise./

 

If by christmess or new years day I aint going to send you a pocket knife & a natural history my friend Wiedmer shall buy theese things for you on my account. in the meantime I want you to be an obedient diligant & faithfull boy willing to assist your parents as much as is in your power never grumble when they are severe for it is only for your own good. an uneducated young man without any sound moral principals is like a ship on the open sea without an expirienced mate.

 

            Write to my soon & often improve your handwriting perfectly go ahead steadily in your learning & be sure then that your frind George Oboussier never will forget you

Alexander Roeser                                           yours—

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