1863

                                                                                                Memphis Tenn March 10^th

 

Dear Miriam

                        I have got into camp again all safe and sound. I got into Carlyle thursday evening and put up at your Uncle Price Hagees and stayed until friday night at eight oclock I then took the cars for Sandoval and waited until ten oclock at night I then took the cars going south and got to Cairo at five oclock Saturday morning and had to wait there until Sunday evening about six oclock on the same boat I went up on the J. D. Perry and got to Memphis about seven oclock Monday night I then went to the hospital and stayed all night and come into camp this morning the boys are all getting along first rate We are under marching orders it is only verbal orders which do not amount to much where we will go to we do not know but the most of them / think we will go to Vicksburg there is nothing positive about it yet. Our Colonel says he will not leave here unless he is forced to go until we receive better arms than we have. Lytle McCrackin is here now he has been home he will be apt to get a discharge as he has fits. William Brown of our company has died since I left he was afirst rate fellow and also Lieutenant Miller of company A he requested to be sent home but he died with the small pox and it is against orders to send any one home that dies with the smallpox. There is verry little going on in camp you may tell that the Majors mare was stolen from the Colonel on last night while he was out in Memphis Our regiment are guarding on the breastworks again. on my way down to Carlyle thursday evening alittle after dark I met Samuel Ingles it was getting dark and I could not see his features but thought I knew his form I inquired the distance to Carlyle he told me and I knew his voice I wish you would / let Major Reid know it so he may be brought back Capt Harris drawed my money for me I drawed thirty six dollars and 40 cents and paid that fifteen I borrowed out of it and 21 dollars and twenty cents left I shall send some home to you by Mr Canon of Montgomery County I will yet have to pay my sutlers bill which is seven dollars the regiment has been mustered against pay and it is likely we will be paid again soon I have just written aletter to George to day telling him of the death of your Father and my trip home and the way he wanted his business fixed up. It is raining hard now and I suppose it will continue to rain while we stay here. The orderly sargeant was elected second Lieutenant by the company and Charley Johnson was appointed that is rather anice way of doing business I think Tell Ewel that I have just received the letter he wrote me but have not read it yet tell him that I want him to attend to Al Hynes for me and have him to settle and pay abig price for the timber he cut on our / land. My cold is agreat deal better than it was when I left home I nearly well of it now Tell Ma that I am in the best of spirits I believe the war will soon be ended. If we leave here soon I will write to you and let you know where we go to if I know

Kiss Eddy for me and write soon

 

Nothing more but remains your affectionate husband until death

                                                                        Henry. B. Drake

                                                            Miriam. E. Drake

 

P. S. I will have my daugerrotype taken and send you if I can get out

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