Camp, near Sedalia, Dec, 6..61

 

Dear Ruth and children

i take greate pleasure this beautiful morning in writeing to you i am getting well a gain but i am weak yet i hope and pray these lines will find Ruth Laura Philander Princes Silvey little Ruth and pap injoying good health i find that a person when well can do well on crackers beef beans and coffee but when a person is sick it is another thing i have seen the time / since i have been in the army that i would have given 50 cts for one warm bisket with butter on it but it is a gainst our rules to complain when we write to our friends we are well furnished with clothing and those that are of a good quality there is talk now of our stay hear all winter. our presents here keeps down the rebbles yes they find they are out numberd. well the fighting in Mo is principaly done but we will have to gard some post for a while while i think of home and loved ones there my heart is filed with sorrow and grief. o tears of anguish and regret wet my cheaks. more another time /

 

i write gain i have just bought 12 potatoes for 5 cts i will feast while they last i put a gold dollar in the last letter that i wrote. did you get it. if you have kept your team yet you better keep it.

 

it is verry warm pleasent weather hear i do not know whare Sam is now my trust is in the lord i hope to spend the remainder of my life in the cause of my redeamer ill prais him while i breath and when my voice is lost in death i will prais him ever more yes on canans happy shore. religion fits us for life and for sweet eternity Ruth if you write all about how you are getting along and all the rest / it will releive my mind so much write ofton Laura you must write i like the soldiers life and love to be in the service of my Country but i would like far better to be with my family, yes with near and dear wife and children.

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Sunday Dec 8..61 i write a few lines more we are to move tomorrow to winter quarters it is 16 milds from here beside a beautiful stream of watter in the timber we sent 55 men this morning to make brigges and pick our camp ground i am half sick sad dreary lonely unhapy but the sweet rest beyond the grave gives me courage to continue to live to god and the lam i have some little things in my knapsack for the children

yours forever               John G Scoville

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