Camp Harvey, Kenosha, March 9^th 1862.

 

Dear Wife:

                        Your letter of the 26^th ult. I received last Tuesday. This is the last one I have had from you. I am as well as usual. Zach is nearly well again; he has been gaining very fast for the past week; his appetite is good and he feels as good as ever. I am glad you that you are having good luck in selling corn; but recollect what I wrote to you about selling on credit. I would rather not have it sold to Jacobson. Although I do not suppose that it will make any difference in the quantity of whisky which he will manufacture still yet I would not like to countenance the making of the article and would rather my corn should used for a better purpose. But I only make these suggestions. You have the control of affairs—with the advice of Father and Damien and you must act your own judgment.

 

            I want you to save money enough for your own use, and to pay John Johnson what I owe him. If you have any more than that pay it to Father. In all probability, we shall not see each other again in less than three years unless the war is over sooner. We are under "marching orders" now; it was so announced yesterday on parade; and the Major also publicly stated that we should go as soon as arrangements could be made for transportation which he thinks will be done by Tuesday. The order for the moving of the regiment was received by the officers nearly a week ago, but there has been so many false rumors lately that they thought they would keep it secret for a while, but I had been aware for some days that something was about to be done, for things about the quartermaster's department were being packed up and / hauled to the depot marked "St. Louis."

 

We are ordered to Benton Barracks St. Louis. It is quite likely that before you receive this letter we shall be on our way; but still it is impossible to tell with any certainty where we shall go. If I thought we should stay here long enough I would have you come down here immediately for I would like to see you and Willie once more. It is impossible to get any furlough now. Some who enlisted thinking the regiment would be disbanded are sorely disappointed and would like to desert. We are very strictly guarded here in camp. Guards are stationed at the railroad depot to see that no one gets away. Elliott Champray and Lucas Lent have deserted. The Major says that all deserters must be brought in. There is a good deal of complaining at being obliged to go without first having pay; and last night a protest was drawn up against going without it, and but the one who was circulating it was arrested on the charge of inciting a mutiny and will be courtmartialled and the Major says perhaps perhaps shot. All who signed the paper are to-day required to take their names from the paper or be punished.

 

I am on guard to-day, and when I am in the tent there is so much to do to get ready to go day after to morrow morning that there is not much chance to write especially as every other one in the tent wants to write at the same time.

 

Dear Frankie, we may never meet again, there is no telling what there is in store for us. If I fall by disease or the sword it will be with the conciousness of having done my duty to my country, and I shall never cease to think of and love you and Willie. Forgive this short letter from your husband                                                  C.P.Goodrich

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