Keokuk May 11^th..65

 

i expect you think i write noncence to you, but i must write more sencible hearafter if i was there to talk i could explain to the reasons why i have not been discharged before now i could get my papers in 3 days by not geting my bounty but i had better wate a week or 2 and get it for i will nead all that i have erned and i will have it and maby a pention to O i know that you are unhappy and ancious for me to come home soon and i will come as soon as i can dearest pleas write as ofton as you can for i am so lonesom yes i am, and you dont know how much comfort it is to get a letter from my Ruth and Children 

 

my little girls your little hearts are tender as the fawns your cheak are fragrant as the rose your farther is comeing home again never never to rome be kind to mother and brother O think not your farther cares not for you while a way in foren lands nor feels the less a farthers care ill make amends for all the rong and drop a tear of simpathy and seal it with a prayer yes dear little ones may god protect you in sorrows lonely hour kiss ma for me and near forget to mind her councel sweet that we may all be happy yet

 

And in heaven dear heaven meet

John G Scoville to

his family (that is far a way in old Montgomery Ohio) /

 

Keokuk, Iowa, 3^rd ward, Estes house, May 12

Dear family i am well hopeing you the same i write again but as yet have not asirtaned just how soon i can get my papers but i will write some home again it will do no harm Ruth pleas dont get discouraged but i know that you have enough to make you unhappy now i have been try a long time to get discharged. well i am shure of geting it within 3 weeks for they have to discharge all that is here before the first of June. well i will not finish this for a day or 2 and maby i will have something diferent to write (i hope so)

 

now i have herd that our papers are being made out if they are will be at home sooner than i expected i am out of pacience and uneasy and lonesom but i must not murmer O what is like home sweet home / be it ever so humble it is dear home. well i will be there some day if i live i wish John and lol had not not gone to Ill yet for i think that i could find a better country but since they have settled there i will settle near them. well Phy what have you got for me to do when i come i wont promise to do much hard work at first but i must do the more head work may i go a fishing once in a while i wont stay long. Ruth can tell i can tell all about lots of things when i get home that i cant think of just now. write all the news and [?] that there is now i will write oftener than you do but i have a better chance to write (more tomorrow)

 

May 13, good morning my dear Ruth i am tolerable well i will write some every day to pass away the dreary hours and to to let you know all about my situation in this prison of a place

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