St Louis, Mo.

Feb 9^th/63.

 

Dear Parents and Brothers,

                        I received the letter which you sent to me since I have been here. I do not recollect the date of it. this finds me in about the same state of health I was in when I wrote the other letter to you. I have been fit for duty about half the time since I have been here, all that bothers me is taking cold. if I could keep from catching cold, I would get along very well. no doubt it is owing to the sudden change in the climate and weather. we have had a few inches of snow here, and for a few days the weather was freezing cold. I have not seen anything of Uncle Sams money purse yet, and if he dont hurry and pay up, I shall disown him, but then I think he will come around before long, fo some seem to think we will go onto the Boat perhaps by the 15^th of this month. I hardly think we will though, for the Brigade is not full yet, but forming fast. all the Convalescents that can are pitching right in, especially those that have been on long marches. there are some in this Co that have been in the old service / from 6 to 20 months, and would now rather risk their lives for 3 years longer on the Boat, than serve the balance of their time on land. some diseases I suppose are worse on the boat than on land, others are not so bad. There is some chance for me to go home on a furlough now, if I only had the money. I could go home and back with about 20 Dols. what to do about it I do not know. what do you think about it. I would like to see you all, but could get a furlough for only 12 days. that I think would be rather a short time. the War perhaps will soon close, that is, within about 1 year. if it dont, I'm awfully mistaken, perhaps sooner, or if the war does not soon close, there will be a fuss in the kitchen, in the North as well as in the South. everybody thinks the War has lasted long enough, so do I. I want it closed as soon as possible, and then I would like the fun of emancipating the Copperheads of the North to somewhere within hailing distance of that place where a drop of water would be of more use and a greater comfort to them than a cart load of Gold.

 

            that's all.                                                                      turn over. /

 

Well John, that letter of yours was a first rate one, and I see you are gaining very much in your writing. I let a man of my Co read it, and he says he can read it with more ease than a letter which he received from a Lawyer some time ago. you must try to get some Copies. I will some of these times when I feel right well, send you the Warrenian System of Penmanship, with the Principals. my new fleece I can not send you yet, not until U S shears me, and according to what kind of a notion I take I may bring it home myself. you said you intended to join the Church. that is right, I hope Cyrus will do so too, and all the rest, for neither of you are too old or to young to die, neither are you too old or to young to do your duty towards the great preserver of your lives, and the bountiful giver of all good, of all the blessings which you daily enjoy. if I ever get back home, I hope I shall meet you all as members of some Church, take your choice as to which one. the best Friends I have found since I left home, the most contented, the bravest, and by far the most useful, are those who left home as Proffessors and also Possessors of Religion. I wish to have you all remember the name of Harlo H Bowen from New California, Grant Co, Wis, and now a Corporal / in Co F, 10^th Reg^t Wis Vol Inf^t, as one that has proved himself a friend to me while in the Hospital, and a man true to both his God and his Country. there is one little word of advice which I will give to you all, that is, never backslide, for by backsliding you would do a great deal of harm, both to yourselves and the cause of Christ. but that will do for the presant. Now then, Cyrus, next time I would like to hear from you too. try and see whether you cant catch up with John, try and scribble up all the paper you can, and I think that by trying right hard you and John can write me a letter together. now then boys, try and keep Edward from running after the Gals so much, he might take a cold or may be even a Wife by staying out late at night. I believe I have wrote enough for this time. try and give me all the news at home, for since I am here I do not hear much news. you wanted to know about meeting &c. there is a Hospital within about 60 rods from where I stay and they have meeting there every Sunday and several times through the week. I can tell you more about things after the Brigade is formed. there are some hard cases in this Co. but I think I am in the best Co. in this Regt. there are a few fine men here, and such I generally manage to choose as my comrades. do you ever hear anything of Wm Brown Sam Butts and all the rest of the boys. I am sorry to hear of the death of the other boys. but I must close, I remain your affectionate Son                           Wm O Albright.

 

Address,

Co A 1^st Regt Mississippi Marine Brigade.

            Benton Barracks, St Louis, Mo. Care Capt Newell.

 

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Rec^d Feb the 13

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