Berwick City Louisiana October 2^the 1863

Mrs Malvina E Keller

 

                                    My deare wife yours Mailed the 14^th of last this month came to hand last eavning I was glad to heare you was all well and hope you are enjoying the same Blessing when this comes to hand you say the children often talke of me poor little fellows how I long to see them that Breast Pin I can not get as there is none here but if I ever get to a place wher I can obtain a good one I will grant your request most cheerfully I was glad to learn that money had arived safe at Home you done with it as I wished just right I hope Abe Johnston will soon have that wood all hauled up it must be good dry wood and have evry stick Corded up and measured up so it will not be laying around in the Mud do the best you can and remember what I saide about next Spring if in my power to do so I do not make mutch calculation on geting mutch of a crop off that place tell Jake Feilds to let me know what he can get for that land Certain for I will sell it and buy some place else I have been writing to Mr Mcfadden he says Henry Walmer has got 80 Acres joining Taylor Riddle he asks twelve hundred dollars for it if I can sell that other right I would like to Buye of Walmer as it is close to Town I could Farm it and live in Bluffton also and there is considerable clearing on it and a House & well and I do not know but some Fruit Trees also I wish I knew how mutch improvement was on it land is Bound to raise in value close to Bluffton I woulde like to heare from Jake as soon as possible on the subject it has cleared up again and the weather is beautifull and it is saide we march in the morning to morrow I mean I presume you think of late letters come thick and fast I am sorry sutch letters as some of them are have ever passed / betwen you and me but hope all is forgoten and the like may never occur again Malvina there is some hard feelings in our Regiment about geting letters from Home one of the Boys was in my Tent this morning he says Doctor Crosby is very mutch down about his sesesh wife and olde John Spake he could damnd easy get a devorce from her and maney of the men say they would not Blame him for they would never live with a Woman that run with the damnd Butternuts when there husbands are here fighting and Sufring for the Country there are several cases here of the same kinde but I kept my troubale to my selfe no one but God knew it after reading your letter last night it come just as I was going to Bed after laying down I thought if I had my deare Malvina in my arms we could soon forget the past and I feel like I had a new life again beleive me when I tell you nothing on earth is so despisable or will create sutch a feeling of hate as a Butternut letter to a Soldier from Home at this time but I do not wish you to think yours done so for never coulde that be from you but it did Sorrow but I feel sure when I heare from you all will be well and that you will quit Butternuts Company I know you have that mutch love and Respect for yours who is ready to give up all for you I said things that I am sory of but thank God none but you and I know it. I ame glad you like your preacher for I formed a good opinion of him and took him to be a Christian and a good Preacher when I left Home the last time I rode over to Wayne in the Hack with him Malvina say nothing to any one about what I have saide about Crosby and his wife as you know I am the last person to dable and Carry News but it is true

I commenced writing this in the morning but had to quit and do other duty it is Reported this Eavning / that we do not move to morrow but will be paide in the morning if so I will express you two Hundred Dollars to Fort Wayne in Care of Mr Mcfadden and I think there is no doupt but what we will get Paide as the Paymaster is here put the money wher you can get it when you call on it put it in good hands for if I can sell that Land I want to buy some other place amediately Walmers if I can raise enough money it is close to Town then I can cut and have our own wood when I please how my heart aches for you when you say you are lonesome I know you are and have your own troubales and so have I but you are at Home and Comfortable to what I am and always have good water and plenty to eate whitch maney times is not the case with us we have just Bought some Potatoes and onions the first we have had in a long time it makes us feel if we wer living at an awfull rate I do not pretend to Buy any Butter it is 40 & 50 cts per pound and is too high some officers spend all the money they draw but I live as saving as I can I could easyly spend evry cent I get here as evry thing is so awfull deare I will endeavor to write to you again before we leave this place Remember me to my deare little Children tell them I long to kiss them all once more again and my deare wife more than all others the longer I stay away the more I think about you and if Possible love you more I never could die hapy without seeing you once more again and to folde you in my arms I must close hoping soon to heare from you again my health is geting good again and the weather is fine to day we have past over the Sickly Season and have not lost a man in my Company the men are well and hearty and in good spirits your most affectionate Friend

                                                                                                            Samuel J Keller

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