Camp at Gadden Valley

35 Mile south of Rolla Mo

Mch 22^d 1863

 

Dear Brother

                        I received your letter of the 27^th last sunday. We started Monday on a march and have not had time to answer it till now. I am well at present and I hope this will find you the same Jim Piercy wrote you a letter a bout a month ago I suppose that you have got it before this time. You can tell chas that if he gets conscripted to come down he and join the Old twentieth Wis. and he will be all right. but if he does not have to go to / stay at home as long as he can enough to eat. Does he run over to daddy Noldens as often as ever. Has Father got a horse to drive winter or does have to foot it evry where he wants to go. What does he have to do to busy him self with now days. I see that you think that those Girls that lives in Hollars house are just about the thing. You must put in a good word for me once and while. How does Sarah Howard get along now. does she go to school up to 8^th Ward now. The next time you see Alice ask her if she did not ever got an answer to that letter that / she wrote me. I guess that Lizzie Ford is not so full of her training since she has lost the best friend she had on earth. I see that she writes a very pity full letter. I think that you had not better go to war just now You had better wait a year or two. This war will be the means of spoiling many a young boy & get them in to a great many bad habits. There is not hardley one in the regt but what uses tobacco and gambles their money all away and drinks as much liquor as they can get and that is / darned little. I dont think of much more to write this time. You must write as often as you get a chance in school or any where else. Give my love to all of your good looking Girls. Scott & Rice are both writing home They get lots of letters. answer soon

 

                                                                        From your Brother

                                                                                    S. Strong

 

To Bert, Official Business

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