On board Steamer "Imperial."

Mississippi River. June 9^th 1863.

 

 

My Own Dear Jen,

                                    We left Cairo yesterday afternoon, but did not make much headway as we got aground in the middle of the night & could not get of until morning. this morning we passed the celebrated Island No 10. also Columbus. everyone seems to enjoy the ride we are living in big style. I have a nice State room & the feed is grand.

 

            The 11^th N.H. Regt. 35^th Mass. a regular battery & about 200 deserters make up the passengers, except there is some citizens & Officers wifes on board who are going / to Vicksburg to look after their wounded husbands or relatives as the case may be. we shall reach Memphis probably tomorrow morning, where I shall mail this letter & go ashore to see Alex Low.

 

            Dont believe we shall reach Vicksburg before Thursday or Friday & by then I hope it will have gone under we shant see any hard fighting I reckon as the place will be taken by seige & not by assault.

 

The Paymaster is on board & will pay us tomorrow. I shall make up a package for my boys & send it to Niles & Co Express. I shall send to you $200.00. Oliver Wyatt holds a note against me for $180 odd dollars if you want the money to use my dear, use it by all means, if not please pay that note. Jen remember, now dont forget, that whenever you need money draw on the Post Office at once, wont you Jen? next month you will receive / somewhere about $150^— more or less for our grass Jane at Rollinsford for which the man will want your receipt so mind your eye old lady what you sign. Well Jen it is to bad that I am still going further away from you. what I care most about is the mail. letters will come so irregular, dont know when I shall hear from you again. if you dont hear from me as often as formerly dont think my dear but that I am thinking of you just as much if not a little more than ever if such a thing be possible. it is so dark here in the cabin I cant keep the lines of the paper & will stop as it makes my eyes ache. remember me my own dear Jen to Father & Mother & with all my love

 

                        I am

                                    Your Aff Hus.

                                                            Nat— /

 

Wednesday Morning, June 10^th

 

Dear Jen,

            We should have been in Memphis before but we got stuck in the mud again last night & could not go on. the paymaster paid us last night up to Apr 31^st the way the officers made the corks & claret fly round after being paid was a caution to sinners. You have probably got my letter from Cincinnati ere this, so you know where I am bound.

 

Wednesday night

 

            Jen

                        I write in Alex room, just before I start, to let you live know

                                                                        that "I love thee still"

SOURCES