Forsyth. Mo. Jan 25^th 1863

 

Dear Parents

            I now set down to let you know that I am alive and well and have joined the regiment again. I had considerable of a tramp before I caught up with regiment We traveled for about sixteen days before caught them and then we got there at night and the next day at noon we started on a forty mile march. When we joined the regt it was at carlton Ark. and we now are at forsyth Mo. in camp and dont know when we will have march again From springfield to Carlton the way we came was about 175 mile and from Carlton to forsyth is 40 mile From forsyth to Springfield is onley 45 mile. So after / traveling about 220 mile over mountains and wading streams and sleeping out in the rain and snow for about three weeks we are onley 45 mile from the place we started. I left springfield just in time miss the fight that they had there the 8^th They say that they had a right smart little brush. The qunine brigade fought bravley But Old Marmaduke got one of their brass pieces away from them it was a small twelve pounder In my travels I passed over the Old Pea Ridge Battle ground The Elkhorn tavern which right on pea ridge is completely riddled with bullets and cannon ball. I passed through Fayetteville Ark which is ten mile from the Prairie Grove Battle Ground and where all of our wounded were when I was / there. I saw Ferguson there he was not gaining very fast. he says that the Dr says that he will never be able to march again he says that he is a trying to get his discharge. he says the he cant get a furlough if he could he would get a sick furlough and see if he could get cured so he would be able for duty again. I saw Foley there he was taking care of Ferguson He is looking as well as I ever saw him. I was surprised to see the boys looking so in the regt after such hard marching and fighting. I dont know as I ever saw Rice Scott Joseph P. arch and Jim looking so well as they now. Jim I think is rather poor he onley weighs 187 lbs in his shirt sleevs I consider myself rather a luckey bird. on my way to the regt I meet one of our company by the name of / J. W. Culmer he is from stoughton He was going home on a recruiting commission for Co G 20 Regt. and I got six letters from him it was mail that had by springfield onto the regt. when I was in the spittle there. Two of them was from Bert one of Dec 2^d one of Dec 16^th One from Charles Dec 21^st in which I found one dollar in U. S. silver. Two from Father one of Nov the first in which was the $4.^75cts was which I counted lost long ago. One of Dec 2^d in which was 70^cts in change and some PO stamps and One from Jake Nolden which was sent me when I was in the Rolla spittle. I dont think that you will hear from me as often a usual for since I have been with Boys it is an awfull job to do any thing. Tell Bert & Charles that they must consider their letters answered This is about all I have to say this time. Tell Mother that she must not worry about me if she does hear from me more than once a month. I shall write as often as I can get time. Give my love to all enquiring specially those girls that live in Hollars house. I cant call them by name

 

                                                                                    Your affectionate Son

(Answer soon)                                                                                    S. Strong

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