1862

                                                                                                            Camp Butler Oct 31^st

 

Dear Wife

                        I am now in the enjoyment of good health and am in good spirits. I dont think you can complain now about me not writing oftener as this is three letters I have written to your one We drew our overcoats yesterday and were paid our money to day we were paid twenty seven dollars instead of forty. I was transferred to Capt Kellers company amere form as his company was not full enough to be mustered in I went to fill up and was mustered in with his company and received my pay with that company some of the company received no bounty at all in consequence of their not being enlisted before / the twenty second day of august about two thirds of them received no bounty there is great dissatisfaction with the company and I think there will be trouble caused by the men deserting. I have your Fathers word the word of Capt Keller and Col Niles that I shall be transfered back to my own company by the next pay day all the difference it makes is that I do not draw my pay with my own company I eat and lodge at our own barracks and drill with our own company I drew twenty seven dollars to day and will send you twenty in this letter by Henry I shall pay Elam three dollars and one dollar and fifteen cents to Tom Savage and sixty five cents I owe to Jimmy Hack The balance I think it would be well enough for me to take with me / when I leave here We are going to Kentucky we think likely to Bloomington but are not positive I think we will leave next week we do not know positively we may be here amonth longer. When you get this money save what you think you will need and pay the balance to Ad Smith and Saml Hymes divide in Hymes favor and take receipt for it. Do as you think proper about selling the stock I dont care if you sell all the stock only what can be wintered on the farm all you had better keep your cow and if you want to your calves. I am anxious that you should keep the two mares and the colts if you should sell I think it would be better to make asale and sell on six months or nine months time with interest at ten percent with good security I shall send that blanket and two / drawers home by Henry. There is about ahundred bond County soldiers gone home on furlough now. I would like to know whether John has hauled any wood to Smiths yet or not I am verry anxious that this bill should be filled I dont care so much about any other. When you get this I want you to write soon as we may leave before I get an answer if you have any postage stamps send me some as we cannot get any in camp. Tell all my friends about there to write to me if I have any. I believe this war will be settled in ninty days from this time There is verry little stir in camp now General McClernard was here the other day we ripped around alittle then When you write tell me particularly about Eddy how he is getting along and how Ma is Tell her to be in good spirits as I shall be at home soon Nothing more but remains your affectionate husband until death H. B. Drake

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