War Steamer Diana

April 2/63.

 

Dear Parents & Brothers,

                        A few days ago I received yours of March 12, and was glad indeed to hear from you once more. I am still on the mend, and should have been well by this time, had I not got the Dysentery, that throwed me back a few days. last night I took a dose of Neutralizing Mix^t, and I think it is stopped on me now. I feel well, only I am weak. we are now anchored at the mouth of the Yazoo River, about 10 miles above Vicksburg. since I last wrote to you we have been up the River some 15 or 20 miles from here, ride around is all we do just now, and I believe I would rather / do that than anything else, so I am very well suited. we are daily expecting the Battle of Vicksburg. no doubt, it will be a hard Battle, but if our Officers do their duty, we can take the town and all that is in it, for the Rebs are now nearly surrounded. if we can take that place, it will be a severe blow on the Rebellion. Last night one of the deck hands fell overboard and was drowned. there have been a few cases of Small Pox on board. they were put into a Hospital while we were up the River. News I know none, here we only know what we see with our own eyes. If I would have felt stout enough while we were up stream, I should have seen Eli Eckley, at least if he is with his Reg^t, for it was encamped only about / two miles from us. he is in the 21^st Iowa. try and find out the address of J Pontious. I would like to write to him. this is the third letter to you, and I have received but 1 from you addressed to the Boat since I have been on it.

 

Well Boys, you done pretty well this time. the I see you are gaining in your Penmanship, but I think there must have been a few grey Hairs around when the composing part was done. I guess I must get you to take another look at my Likeness. you say I have whiskers, you could scarcely discover them on my face now with a microscope, and my Mustaches must have been drove out by the corner of a "Hard Tack" while trying to chew it, ugh hugh. write more next time. /

 

Sorry to hear of the death of so many children. where does Uncle H Bartger live, and how is he getting along. I would like to hear from some of the old Pennsylvanians again. four men deserted from our Co Co A, while at St Louis, one of them came from No 4 with me, another one I took care of while he was sick at Benton Barracks. he deserved a discharge, and should have had it. I believe I have told you all the news, so I will close. I hope this will find you all enjoying good health. give my respects to all the Union Friends, Friends only, I might have said, for I do not count Copperheads and Sesh as friends. give me all the news, and what the general opinion is among the people concerning the War.

Write soon,                                         I remain

your affectionate Son, Wm O Albright.

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