Benton Barracks, Wed. Nov 26^th 1862.

 

            My Dear Wife,

                                    At 8 o'clock A.M. on Sat the 22^d inst, our Reg bid farewell to Camp Lanman and marched down to the boat landing at Burlington; and after about two hours spent in makeing some necessary preparations, companies A, C, D, F, H, I and K, got aboard the steamer Ad Hine, and the remaining three companies went on the Ella and in a few minutes more both boats were shoved off amid roars of cheering, which did not cease till the waveing handkerchiefs on the wharf became dim in the distance. The Ad Hine arrived at Keokuk about sundown, and here we left the little stern wheeler and went on the Sucker State, a large and well finished boat. In the course of an hour or two we rolled up in our blankets and lay down for a little repose which we enjoyed without any interruption till 3 oclock, when most of us were roused by the noise of the other three companies comeing on board. (These companies were delayed by the Ella getting fast on a bar about twenty miles above Keokuk.) As soon as the last man had walked the plank it was hauled on—the cable was loosened, and we were again shoved off. I soon went to sleep again and when I awakened in the morning the boat was just rounding to at Quincy for the purpose of takeing on coal. We were here but / a few minutes and did not land again till we got to Alton a town on the Ill. side about 25 miles above St Louis. We were landed at this place some time in the night and did not leave till daylight. We arrived at St Louis at about 8 o'clock A.M. Pretty soon after we got here the report was started that we were going on to Helena without reshiping and we knew no better till 1 o'clock when we rec'd orders to march out to Benton Barracks a distance of five miles from the boat landing. We got here at 3 oclock on last Mon, and will remain here till we are furnished with the means of transportation to Helena, a distance from here of three hundred and fifty miles. It is reported that we are to leave here tomorrow morning certain. This may be so and it may not, but it is very probable that we will leave this week. When we get a sight of the elephant, if I can possibly get time I will write you a long letter. As Jim wants to send a line to Mary with this, I will direct it to her so that she can take it out of the envelop before it leaves the office. Dave is on the sick list from the effects of a bad cold. The other boys are well. I have not heard from you since you left me at Burlington and do not expect to, till we get to Helena, if we move tomorrow. Direct your letters to Cairo Ill.

 

            Your very affectionate husband,

                                                            Enos Reed.

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