Benton Barracks Mo

                                                                                    Jany 23d 1862

 

My Dear Father

 

            Your favor of 17th ish was recd day before yesterday.  Should have answered before but was sitting on a Court Martial which I find to be rather tedious business. had the honor to be appointed judge Advocate. and as such was instrumental in placing some unfortunate at a safe distance from whiskey shops & gaming houses and allowing them to cultivate an appatite for bread and water, by trailing some 20 lbs. of Iron attached to the ancle.

 

            Apparently small offences against Military discipline as severely punished death may be inflicted for what would not be a grave offence under civil law.

 

            The 2d Ohio left today for Kansas. Turney was the only man of my acquaintance in the Regt had a real good visit You know how the Turneys can talk. I believe he told more than I should have known abot Madison affairs if I had remained there he goes into the war with great enthusiasm full of patriotism and fight I believe it takes a real genuine abolitionist to make a good soldier.

 

            The rigidity of army discipline; the inconveniences, perplexities and hardships of camp life, are apt. to knock the romance and enthusiasm out of most young fellows.

 

            I recd a letter today from Lawrence he is orderly Sergeant in Co F 3d Mo. Cav. encamped in Palmyra they have moved them. Ann keeps house. I presume they have written you.

 

            I have been thinking that. I would have you send me a Firkin of good Butter as it is almost impossible to obtain a good article here even at 20 & 25 cts. lb. I dont know but the Freight would be to high to justify sending. Seems to me though, that they ship to Soldiers at reduced rates. The Michigan Boys got lots of nice things Christmas and I am thinking they told me they came very cheap.

 

            You can ascertain and if it can be sent reasonable I would like to have it.

 

            I don’t think we will leave here till the War is over unless the Small Pox drives us out of which there are a few cases in camp our Regt is now being vaccinated.

 

            Remember me to Wife Mother and the rest

                        As Ever Your Son

                                                A. H. Griswold

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