I want you to dress yourself and the children                  

warm by all means and don't forget it either in your dread of debts         

 

Camp Near Vicksburg Miss

Oct. 17^th 1864

 

            Dear Laura and little folks:—

                                    After waiting now nearly or quite a week for a letter, I thought it best to write and let you know the fact of my still being alive and in kicking trim as usual. I have felt for nearly a week past like the Ague but as yet have had no chills I hope it will pass off shortly if the weather continues fair. I don't know but I think in my last I mentioned being detailed for the Co's Clerk. Again on the 15^th the Post Surgeon Detailed and detached me from the Co. for Special service as Driver of the "Small Pox Ambulance," it being such a host of trouble to secure sober trusty men for that place. I have no idea who recommended me to him nor will he tell me there is two of us driving we have a large tent to ourselves there has two cases only occurred this month, so you can form an idea of the amount of labor it attached to it. I heard an item of news in the camp today that would be encouraging if the Marines had not been deceived so often already I will give it to you just as I got it. An old man in Co. G. by the name of Taylor went to the Regimental Head Quarters and asked the Major to use his influence in procuring a Discharge as he never had nor never would / do any duty on account of an affliction of the kidneys. he says and I have every reason to believe the truth of what he says that Major Talledy told him that we would all be home or back on boats before he could possibly obtain a discharge. The Major says the original Order was to muster the M.M.R. out of the service on the 26^th day of August 1864 and that since that date it has not been known as an organization. Now if such is the fact it may possibly all come out right at all events by the time you receive this we will know all. Let us hope for the best at all events I am anxious for the next ten days to pass I can assure you.

 

            Now I will write a little about something else. I suppose you will be surprised to hear that Holland Boyden is dead he was killed near Atlanta so his troubles are at an end. I suppose his missus will try her hand at school again or her –well I won't say what but leave you to conjecture. I expect you will growl when you see the shortness of this but Lord there is nothing in the world to write about. I not had a letter from home in two weeks and I cant write without something to write in answer to. When you answer this tell me how all the lovelies flourish. I suppose Osro has made his fall visit to the relations by this time of course. I am rather prying I know but I would like to know who visits you in your new home in regard to your new beds

 

[overwritten]

If you have not been to the Exress Office keep an eye to it as there is a package on the way to you they have been inspected no doubt more than once and by more than one person however I suppose it is natural for some folks to grudge you what little you can with your own hands let matters rest the devil is very nearly cornered. I think about two more payments will set all things to rights let me only once more get home and then I want the war to continue until every Abolitionist has a trial of of his fighting qualities there is also another class even as despicable as they by which I mean those who really favor the south as ever "Dave"

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