Camp Warren             Febuary the 16.1862

 

                                                                                                                        Dear Mother

I received your letter on the 10^th of this month I was glad to hear from you and to know that you was well I am as well as usual as you spoke of your writing to me of the 26 of Jan I recieved it the next day after I sent my last letter to you and as you asked me if I paid you for that [paper hole]

 

Mother you spoke of O. B. and me haveing been killed I almost laughed outright to think of it but if we had had our Lieutenant Colonels way we should / we have been in it

 

Mother it is sunday to day and I am on guard for the first time on sunday it is a pleasant day here to day the snow fell last night to the depth of 4 inches and the sun shines so bright that it dazles my eyes Mother our Colonel has resigned in favor of a man by the name Young but our boys are all in favor having Bigadier General Van Valkenburg he has just two Brigades and 3 regiments tenderd to him and he has refused them all till ours and he said that he would be our Colonel and the boys will be sadly disapointed if he does not be there will / be a good deal of satis dissatisfaction with the boys Mother all of the regiments in our this Brigade that is our Brigade will leave here in the morning at 5 oclock that is all but ours I heard the orders read on dress parade to night and it is thought that there will be a go a head movement and our arms are victorious every where it is reported that we have taken fort Donalson is taken and 14,000 men in it

 

our arms are crowned with victory and the officers and high privates in the rear rank think that in 4 months we will be at peace and I will for one hope / it will be so I have been in the servis 6 months the third of next month which is close at hand I have waited till to day to answer your letter so I could write all I wanted to but as I am on guard I will not have much time to night so I shall have to go to the guard house and good by for the present this from your affectionate

 

                                    Son                  Willard

                                                                        M Selden

                                    to

                                    Almeda Senden

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