Memphis Nov 16 1862

 

                        Dear companion and children i write a few lines to you informing you that i am well yes well hopeing these lines may reach you in good health i received a letter from you i was happy to hear that you ware all well O tis such a pleasure to hear from home we have just returned from a scout we were out 4 days 4 regments and some artilery but the rebbels withdrew when they found we were coming so we did not get a chance to fire a shot but we made the hogs sheep and chickens and honey suffer we killed and eat as much as we took 70 bee stands from one man we had more honey than we could eat that day one place whare we campt there was a flock of sheep about 50 head when we stopt as soon as we stacked arms and broke ranks the boys went to killing and cooking the next morning there was one little lamb left and it came up near us and bleated so pitiful we would kill a mans hogs rite before his door and skin them then go to there kitchen and take a [?] or bake kettle to cook it they ware rebbls and we knew it but after we got our fresh pork cooked and eat we did not care whether they was rebbls or not. it was a hard trip we had to carry our over coats and one blanket and 60 rounds of catrages and [faded] days rations in our packs we have 5 negroes to do our cooking and washing and all of our drudgery uncle Sam [faded and torn] /

 

think that our division will leave hear in a few days for Jackson Mississipy some 2 hundred milds south if we go it will be a hard march we have but 6 teams now for the reg and we will have to pack our knapsacks and all we have. we will be payed off soon. i will have $70 dollars this time for i will draw 52 and sell my watch for $20. well i will send most of it by express to my dear wife soon as i get it and then the rebbls will not get it, and it will do my dear family some good. if we stay hear 5 of each company will get furloes of 30 days so if we stay i will get a furlo (yes that i will) O Ruth i thank god for those sweet little verces they give me joy you cannot express O keep your trust in god and all will be well yet. you have my prayers every eavening. O i dream of home [faded]. well i will come home as soon as i can. write often for it does me so much good to hear from you. it is Sunday and a lonesome one now Ruth pleas dont get discouraged but be of good chear we may be happy yet & may it be the will of god that i may be permitted to return to my dear family

 

John Griffen Scoville to Ruth and children

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