Camp Beauregard, Ky.

August 3^d 1863.

 

My dear Wife:—

                                    This morning I received two letters from you—one of date July 19^th, the other the 28^th. This is the first I have heard from my family since we left New Madrid, and you may rest assured it did me a great deal of good to hear that you were well; but sorry that the wheat and corn are destroyed. You ask me if you shall buy rails. Well, it is too late to do this now—too late to lock the door to keep out the thieves;—so you need not buy any till I write again. Take the rails from the little pasture and put them where the brush fence is, or if there is any wheat left worth saving you may just fence in the stack. Just which ever you think best. This misfortune seems rather severe, but we must / not permit it to weigh upon us, nor must we feel disposed in our hearts to think that God deals harshly with us. Tho' we are poor and fortune seems to frown upon us, yet a brighter day may dawn upon our earthly prospects, and the Lord bless us with a competence of food and clothing. Surely he will not suffer His faithful followers to come to want in this land of plenty. Let us see to our hearts that we put not on the garb of fault finding, but rather let us pray for God to clothe us in the full armor of righteousness, and give us strength of body and power of faith to combat with misfortune, and bless us with victory—if not in this world, in the world to come.

 

            You may consult Mr. Garritt as to the value of Mr. Harrison's wagon, and if in his estimation, it is worth the amount he asks, you may buy it. Tell Mr. Garritt / also to attend to my colt this fall

 

            Elijah is very well, stout and robust, and it seems soldiering agrees splendidly with him. I saw him yesterday, and will take it upon myself to send his love and well wishes to his mother and Sisters, and Brothers.

 

            I must tell you something about our travels since we left Clinton, which was on the 23^d July. Since that time and up to that last Friday we marched every day, except last Sunday a week ago. The first day we started we marched about 25 miles to Mayfield; then to Farmington, to Murray and thro' Conyersville, Tennessee, to about 10 miles of Paris, Tenn; when we took the back track, passed through Conyersville again, and there took the Columbus road, passed through Boydsville, Tenn. and Felisian, Ky and / are now taking a short rest 2 miles from the latter place. I have given you the names of the places so if you like, you may look at a map and see our route. Fortunately for us, we had our knapsacks hauled, and I stood the march better than I expected.

 

            You must write as soon as you get my letter, as we do not stop long at a place, and I may not get it if we you do not answer immediately. I must close for the present. Give my love to all the family and all the enquiring friends, and dont forget to pray for—

 

                                    Your affectionate Husband,

                                                Ed. Hickman.

 

P.S. I forgot to say anything about the Cow and Calf. You

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