St Charles Arkansas Sept 13^th 1864

 

            Dear Wife

                                    I write you a few hasty liens from this place on the 10^th we left the mouth of White River and arived here on Sunday Eavning the 12 it is 80 mile from here to the Mouth of the River and about 50 mile Streight through to Helena in coming up we come very neare having our Boate sink but we pumped the water out and stoped the leake I got my Company Books and papers wet I was buisy yesterday drying them we are camped at this place how long we will remain here I know not we wer at this place once before last winter a yeare ago the Rebels Fortified the place by diging Rifle pitts and we are camped in side the ditches it is a nice place to camp being situated on a Hill we have to drink River Water and it goes harde for me to do so as I seen several dead men floating in the River Fish are plenty there is not a House on the River betwen this and the Mouth of this River nothing but woods in coming up we seen several Deer and one wilde Cat we are all very anxious to see the Paymaster as we are in need of money I hope I have got enough to last untill / we get pay each of the Lieutenents are out of Money and there is no telling when we will get paide at least I hope to get some before my time of Service expires because it will be some time after my time does expire before I can get what is due me as I will have to Settle up first with the goverment before I can get my pay evry thing is very deare here and we have harde fare I have not eate one meal for the last week without picking out more or less Bugs or wormes out of what we have got to Eate Some men can eate and never minde sutch things but I am not one of that kinde I expect to start Home about the last of November if not sooner I long for the time to come but I feel thankfull the Sickly Season is about over in this latitude and that I have escaped so well I do not feel very well to day as I have caught a colde but hope soon to be well of it I hope we will remain at this place untill my time is up I am also very glad we have got up the River as far as we have for I am tiard of the Department of the Gulph under General Banks there has been some talke of us going Home to the Election but I think it is all talke and we will not go and I do not want to go without geting Paide /

 

I hope those few liens may finde you all well and that I will soon heare from you I will bring my letter to a close yours most Affectionately

                                                                                    Samuel J Keller

 

to Mrs M E Keller

Letter No 47

                                                direct to me

                                                                        St Charles Arkansas

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