Lanman Barracks

Burlington  Iowa, Sept 18^th 1862

 

My Dear Wife

                        We all arrived here last night at sun down all safe and procured supper and lodging at the hotels and got up this morning at five o'clock and marched out to the Barracks (a distance of 1½ miles) where we drew rashions and cooked our breakfast. The day we started it rained on us in torrents but we did not halt till night. Our clotheing and provision all got very wet / the latter we managed to eat up, the former we have spread out in the sun drying. There are 7 Companies now in the Barracks and they are looking for the remainder of Reg here today. The Hawkeye of 19^th will contain cheering news, according to the dispatch which came in today. I do not know the particulars as it has not been published yet. You will try and get to see the Hawkeye of the 19^th; the 18^th contains no news of much importance. Jim and I have arranged it so that you or Mary will get a letter from one of us every mail. I write today, and you will / get it Mon. Jim will write on next Sun and Mary will get it the last of the week. As we are not organized yet I cannot tell you our position in the Reg, perhaps it will be known by the time Jim writes; it may be Co A and it may not be. Direct to me in care of Capt Boyle

 

We are on duty so much today that I will not have time to write any more today.

 

The boys are all well Jim Long got on the cars with us at Batavia.

 

Your very affectionate

            husband,

                        Enos Reed /

 

                        PS

Jim sends a letter to Alpha.

                                    Enos

 

PS Since writing the above we had an election and John Chaney is elected 2 Lieutenant

                                                                                                                        E Reed

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