J.G.S. to R.S. and all

 

Keokuk Apr 9^th..65

 

Dear and much loved Wife and Children i will commence a kind of a journal letter to you i may not finish it for 3 or 4 days for i am nersing now and have my hands full some of my patience are blind and requair a greate deal of attencion half of each night i have charge of the hole ward of 85 soldiers but only about 25 are sick this 3^rd ward is the 4^th story of the larges brick building 5 storys high that i ever saw O i forgot i am well how are you (ones all) 

 

Now my dear companion pleas try to happy and pray for my safe return i candidly think i will be at home if i live in about 3 weeks from this date but dont be discouradged if i dont come that soon nor if i am there sooner the officers are acting and carrying out orders as fast as they receive them from war department the vetrans do not come in the first lot a verry unjust thing but we have to be treated like dogs after serveing our country so long. well they will get there reward after death (in hell) or some other place / i will explain it better when i get home

 

Phylander now i want you to keep of good chear a little longer you have had a hard time and done a noble part for your dear mother and hope to soon be there and try to something for you and all of the family (more tomorrow)

 

Apr 10^th 65

Good morning dear ones how is my wife and my children it is one oclock i have not much medicin to give so i will write but i have not nor cannot find out yet how soon i will get my discharge the doctor told me yesterday that i would get it in 10 days or maby sooner 

 

250 start to Davenport this morning to be discharged but i am in the class that are to be discharged hear well you see every thing has to be done in millitary stile and acording to army regulations there fore it up some time and trys a persons pacience thats so

 

Ruth if you send 50 cts i will give [?] big intrest and call you honey to boot and not ask you to send any more pleas write soon continue to put your trust in the savior O i want to see you all so bad yes there is no place like home Phy i have got lots of sea shels for you and Sibby and fat little tote and big tote

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