Head Quarters

20^th Regt Wis Vol

1^st Brigade 3^d Division

Army Frontier

Camp Lake Spring                              April 21^st /63

 

Dear Parents

                        I received the long looked for box to day. There was nothing in it but what will come handy to a soldier. Arch says that if he ever comes a cross a good sesesh trophy that is worth any thing he will send it to you. He says that he dont know whether he will ever be able to return the favor but he will try to. I think a great deal of that dried beef. that is just what we want on a march. the drid corn is all OK. the sutler has it here put up in cans and charges $1^.00 a can for it about a pint in a can. Those peaches are bully two those that the sutler has cant hold a candle to these. There is nothing like being a soldier and having lots of friends at home to send you lots of good things. Tell charley Hammon the / boots are just a fit. those old boots that I took with me after I got to the regt I sold them for five dollars That is good enough after wearing them for about two months. We have just got paid off this afternoon four months pay There will alittle $40 around after you before long. Allottment. There is no great loss but some small gain. Did you get $12^.00 from ferguson yet let me know about it.

 

We got the news this morning that Marmaduke had got whipped out at Fayettville, AR, by the Arkansas troops. And they were now fighting at pilot Knob and dont know whether we will have to go down there or not but we are ready to start at fifteen minutes notice. There was the first Iowa Cavelry Eight Mo. first Mo. Seventh Mo. tenth Illinois and two batterys started for there this morning. There was a bout four thousand in all. I think that they will try and clean them out. I hope that we wont have to double quick down there because we have got a good camp cleared off here and I should like to stay here long enough / to get the pay for cleaning it off.

 

I got a letter from W^m Maxfield to day he has not much news to write. He says that evry thing is duller than ever around camp. When Col Starr opened the box he said that he guessed that it was for Co G. we might as well take it a long down to the C^o. He said that he got his box a day or two before. The Hospital Sewarts woman Mrs Euen came down here last weeke. And Col Bertrams Wife is down here also. There was three of our men started home on furlough out of our C^o. One from Okland, one from Ft atkinson one from oconomowoc I dont know whather the lord will be on my side and give me furlough or not

 

Tell Bert that he must write me once in a while. We expect to have to march to morrow but I hope that we wont have to. This is all this time. please answer soon and Oblige

 

Give my love to all enquiring friends. I remain your affectionate son.

                                                Sylvester. Strong.

 

answer soon /

P. S. Tell Hank that I am very much obliged to him for that stationary and I will try and favor him with a letter

                                                Sylvester Strong

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