Morganzia, La.

                                                                                                            Sep^t the 8^th 1864

 

Dear Mother

                        I Rec^d your kind letter on Monday the 5^th which was dated July the 30^th I wrote to you the 24^th of Aug When we ware at Fort Morgan on the 25^th we went to an Ilend cald Ceder Point 15 miles from Fort Morgan and there was a shell road run from there to the city of Mobile distance 25 miles. When we ware there we had all the Oisters we wanted to eat we left there on the morning of the 4^th. we arived at New Orleans on the 5^th and I got your letter at New Orleans we got up here day before / yestarday. we came back on steam boat Cate Dale. dear Mother we did not have any fiting or marching to do down on Mobile Bay the weather was very warm. I think we will go up the River in a few days Mother you see that we have ben moving around pretty lively for some time back. Dear Mother I ame glad to here that your health is better then it hes ben, and I ame also glad to here that Richards health is some better. Mother I sopose that you heard that Soldiers pay hes ben raised. Privates gets $16. Corpreals $18. Seargeants $20. first Sergeants $24. it took afect the first of May last So you see that I get $20. a month now. My health is / very good, thank God and I hope it will continue to my time is out. I ame anxious for the time to slip away as fast as possible as I ame on the last year No more at presant hoping that thes few lines may find you and Richard engoying good health I Remain as ever your Son

 

                                                W^m M Bell

 

Please tell Mrs. Chaffa that if she wants to write to the Cap^t of the Co. that she cane direct to Capt Walling Co. J. 161^st N. Y. Vols or the Commander of Co. J. 161^st.

 

I Rec^d a letter from Hollet of Watlkins he wanted me to see the Cap^t and have him send / a Statement of Mr Chaffa death the Cap^t is making it out and will send it to Mr Hollett of Watkins the first mail—but if she wants to write to the Capt on other matters she cane direct as I have stated above

                                                            W^m M Bell

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