Camp Lake Spring Mo

May 1^st 1863

 

Dear Parents

                        I received your short but kind letter and was glad to hear from you again as I am always to hear from home. It found me in good health as I hope this find you. Yesterday we had quite a busy day of it We had a general review we was received by The Gen Comanding this division. formerley Col of the 9^th Ills. He was lately promoted to Gen His Name is Orm he is rather young looking. There is rather a general opinion that he does not know a great deal about Military.

 

There is not a man in the whole Frontier Armey but what gives up to Old Bertram. He can just teach any of them in military affairs. Even to Maj Gen Herron himself. I heard a rumor around camp yesterday that Gen Herron has been superceeded by a man by the name of John Jeff Davis / It seems that he is a man that was along with Gen Seigel in the Battle of Wilsons Creek and along with Gen Fremont also I cant vouch for the truth of this report but I suppose that you will know all a bout it before we do.

 

I see that the rebels got most effectually cleaned out at Pilot Knob and at Cape Giradeau. Our forces captured quite a large train that belonged to Marmadukes Command and the last accounts they were in full pursuit of him I see by the St Louis Democrat that the first Iowa Cavelry broke up a rebel camp. While the rebs eat talking by their fires how they had made the d—d Yankees skedaddle the first Iowa was within twenty rod of them. They first fired on them and then they went in with a saber charge. The rebs had to get up and git just about then I reckon. They captured some prisenors Camp equipage and evry thing else in that camp There was not a man of them that got of alive.

 

The First Iowa Cavalry is one of the best regiments in the Armey of the Frontier. They have all been armed / new this spring with Colts patent Breech loading rifle. They are a splendid gun. They are about two thirds as long as a common gun. besides this they are all armed with one of these navy revolvers and a saber.

 

I am glad that what forces that went from this part of the country was sufficient to clean them out. If they had not been enough we would of had to go down there and have a hand in. Bert has got a good job if he tend rite to his business. But It will try him a little after he has been at it a little while you spoke in your letter about him not letting you know about me having another watch. I did not know but whether you would like it or not and you might make a blow a bout it. But it is all right it wont cost a great deal in the end. Jo wrote to his folks that when they got the four months allottment to pay you $10^.00 for my old watch. I told him that ten dollars would make him and I square I thought I would not be hard on him. We were mustered yesterday for two months pay which will square / us up to yesterday the 30 of April. We are to paid within ten days after we are mustered. That $12^.00 that Capt Ferguson owes me is money that I brought from home with me I let him have twelve dollars to keep for me when I went to the hospital and he never paid me he said that he wrote home to his brother some two months ago for him to leave twelve dollars for you at George Buells store I think that it is about time you got it. I dont think there is much of a chance of me getting a furlough with in two or three months but let her rip I dont care as long as I have my health.

 

                        This is all this time

                                    From your Son

                                                Vet

be sure and answer

soon you and Mother

 

Give my respects to all friends

 

[picture of a bird]

 

(Photographic)

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