Camp Wickliffe          Feb 9^th 1862

            Mrs M E Keller

 

                                                                                                            deare wife yours

came to hande last eavning and as usual I was very glad to heare from and to heare you was all well we are still in this camp but I think will leave before longe farther southe we received the glorious news last eavning of the defeat of the Rebels at Fort Henry hurah for our side I think the war will soon be over probaly in an monthe evry one here believes here it will soon be over you say it is no use saying anything to me about me coming home untill the war is over yes I want to see the war over I want to see the last Rebel hung or own up his alegiance to this union there is one infernal snake hole at Bowling Green I want to helpe clean out soldiers are as thick as hops in this state there is thousands far a heade of us we have plenty to eate but are kept very buisy at drilling to day is sunday we have part of the day for rest I wish we woulde leave this camp and go aheade for the land of dixie I ame heartily tiard of this place / I hope we will soon more of our soldiers whiping another den of them devils a few more of sutch and the day is ours we have had no more cases of small Pox and I think we have got rid of it but a greate maney of the soldiers are sick with the fever and diarhea my healthe is good dick has been unwell but is geting better again West aspinall is about well again Calven Karnes is not very well and has gone to the Barracks Henry Schnaterly is sick but is geting better the boys will all get well when warmer weather does come it is the colde raines and mud and slete whitch is doing the mischiefe let me know how you are getting alonge for money and things in general tell the Boys to be good Boys and learne fast to reade and write and stay about home when not at school and keepe away from up in town as that is not the place for little Boys only when sent on errands I have just writen to Harters and Brother Will. my love to you all direct as before to New Haven Ky

 

            yours most affectionately

                                    Samuel J Keller

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