Camp near Helena Ark

                                                                                                            March 29^th 1863

 

                        Dear Father,

                                                I received a paper from you yesterday and as I cannot return the favor by sending you one in return will write you a few lines. It was quite a treat to get a Boston paper and of such a late date. Maria has sent me a Cultivator and Advertiser which has well supplied me with reading matter to day. We are getting verry unpleasant weather here to day the wind is blowing quite strong and some hail and rain. This sudden change I think will pass for the line gale. Am still with the fourth Iowa Cavalry running the sutler establishment for Mr Davis the sutler while he is gone up the river to visit his family and get a new supply of goods. I find it rather hard to do the work that three of us has been doing before but the fellow they left to help me was rather light fingered and I told him he could travel so I am on my own hook. They have been gone three weeks next Tuesday and I have sold about eight hundred dollars worth of goods. /

 

This is now the outside regiment being about three miles from town. A scout was ordered out this morning from our regiment. one hundred men started out at six oclock and a reinforcement of fifty more went out one hour afterwards. They got back this evening with two prisoners but had no fight. There does not seem to be a verry large force and what there is are scattered. The Missisippi has been on a big time the last week all the way one can travel the streets of Helena is in a boat. I would not live in such a place for it. Am expecting Mr Davis back this week and perhaps I may go up the river soon. Well it is getting late and the wind is blowing a hurricane dont know but it will blow me over before morning.

 

            So nothing more at present. Give my love to all

 

                                    Fom Your son

                                                The. Herrick

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