Memphis Tenn.

                                                                                                December the 4^th 1864

 

Dear Mother

                        I now seat my self to inform you that I ame well and ame engoying very good health, also to inform you that we are at Memphis Tennasee. We arived here the 30^th of last month. We came down the River on boats from Columbus, Ky. it is about one hundred and Eighty miles from here to Columbus Ky. We are fixing up our Tents the Genarel thinks we will stay here all winter. we fixed up our Tents at Columbus for winter but it did not do much good as we had to leave and come down here. but we have fixed / up our Tent good agen. there is four of us Boys from Hector that tents together. we bought Lumber and our tent cost us $10.50

 

Mother we got paid the 27^th of last month I will send $50.00 or $60.00 home to S. M. Barker in a few days. Dear Mother if you want any money to make you comfertible this winter you must let me know Dear Mother I expect to get a letter from you in a few days. this is a very pleasent day here. I send my best Respects to Richard and all enquring Friends. hoping that this may find you and Richard Engoying good Health. I Remain as ever your Son

 

                                    W^m M. Bell

                                    Co. E. 161^st N. Y. Vol

 

Direct to Cairo

                        Ill.

 

                                                                                                Monday Evning Dec. the 5^th

 

Dear Mother

                        I Rec^d a letter from you this after noon which was dated November the 23^d

 

Dear Mother I ame sory to here that your health is so poor for Health is the best blessing one cane have on Earth. Mother you wanted to know what is the Reason we did not go in the Forts at Columbus the Reason was that the Colard men that was in the Fort is hevy artillary and we are Infantry you wanted to know what we ware doing thare. we ware looking for the Rebs to come in there to destroy the Goverment Stores Weather is not as cold down here as it was at Columbus this was a very pleasent day /

 

We had a Revew and Inspection to day. Mother you wanted to know wheather we ware in the Engineer Bragade or not we we are not Engineers. in haste My best Respects to all

 

            From your Son

                                    William

SOURCES