Head Quarters 29^th Iowa Infty

Helena Ark May 4^th—63

 

            Friend Gabe,

                                    Your letter has been received. I truly sympathize with you in the death of your brother, for since this wicked rebellion broke out, I too as you are aware, have been called to mourn the loss of a brother that was a particular favorite of mine, and also a general favorite of all who knew him He was handsome, young, gay and thoughtless the latter being his worst if not the only fault I could find in him but in going in the army in defense of his country he sacrificed his life and left behind him a large circle of friends and relatives who deeply mourned that one so handsome and in the bloom of youth should be taken so soon from us. Such I presume is the case with you. You had a brother on whom you fondly doted, one whose brotherly advice and affections you were wont to listen to with so much interest and sisterly tenderness, one that in after years you had expected to be a counselor and adviser in all the little trials and difficulties which you may be called on to encounter but alas! how often is all our hopes for the future blasted and our nearest and dearest earthly friends snatched from our kind embrace by the relentless hand of death. But we must expect to part with friends one after another as they take their exit from this to the spirit land. Yet it looks dreadful to see so many Soldiers die in the southern clime, far, far from their homes in the north, and instead of a fond mother and affectionate sisters to soothe their aching heads and alleviate their wants and miseries, they are taken to hospitals where there are / so many sick that it is impossible to give each one the attention that they ought to receive but I dont think the nurses are to blame but it is because there are so many to attend to them

 

The health of the 29^th is better than it has been for five months before We have very heavy duty to perform, coming on guard every other day and the rest of the time we have to drill. notwithstanding, I love soldiering the best kind. I am blessed with the best of health, and I thank God for it for health is every thing in the army

 

New batteries are being constructed here all the time. By the time all the works are completed that are in contemplation, this place will be impregnable against any force that can be brought against it.

 

The weather is very warm here. It is almost as hot now down here as it is in harvest time in the northern states. I dont know how much hotter it will get, but it is now hot enough for me

 

The 47^th Ind regt have gone below, probably to Vicksburg or in the vicinity somewhere I have not seen the regt since we came to this place, which is about 4 weeks ago. I dont know any about the war news if there be any, for we seldom ever get a paper in camp and we have to pay from ten to fifteen cents for each paper we get and it so happens we never get any war news in those we do get. Well friend Gabe, I believe I have written all the news that I know of that that would be of interest to you, but perhaps if I could see you I could talk more in an hour's time than I can write in a week although I dont think I am very much of a talker at best, but believe I am better talking than writing. Hoping these lines may find you and your mothers family all well I will close by hoping to hear from you soon Give my respects to your Cousin Carrie, your sister Sarah and the rest of the family. Geo. Campbell to his old friend Gabe Conarroe.

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