# 22

I like full as well as I expected to and my health is much better than when I was at home. You must not let your Father discourage you, you know him don't you? Perhaps all of his prophesies will prove true but I cannot believe it?

How long this war will last we are unable to know. We live in hopes and our courage is good. I do not have any more fear here than I did at home. We pick up a few prisoners everyday. One of our Company took two last night. They were armed. We took them into camp alone.

I suppose you want to know where we are agoing next but I cannot tell you for I do not know anything about it but most likely we shall go to Fort Smith soon.

George thinks that Lenora does not write very often as he does not get any letters but he probably gets all or most of them. Uncle got a letter from me with one enclosed for you. Tell Abby to write. I need not say anything about our corn, hogs, molasses etc. for I know you will do the best you can with all.

Yours truly

A.P. Mitchell

You spoke of Blodgets wife drawing extra pay for herself and child. I do not know anything about any such arrangements but if we are entitled to any such pay you will get it. We are signing the payroll today and you will draw some money soon.

If I thought you was short of change I would send you a little. You must tell me how it is with you.

I will write again soon. I am afraid you have not got the money to pay for all my letters.

Marionville, Mo, Nov. 6 1862

Dear Wife:

I have made several attempts to write within the last week but have every time missed the mail. I will now in a great hurry do my best to get a few lines started. We are on our way to Springfield and are within 2o miles or about one days march. I think we shall lay here today. I expect we shall go directly to St. Louis. We have traveled all over Mo. and Arkansas. The Rebbels have all gone south and we have left troops enough in Arkansas to keep them there. We belong to General Patrons Brigade. We have a battery of six cannon, the 18th Iowa, 37 Illinois, 20th Wisconsin. I expect we shall winter in St. Louis or go into Virginia or Tennessee. We have done some pretty hard marching but I have stood it first rate. It does not affect me at all. George has been curled up with a cold. He took a slight cold and it seemed to settle in his back and legs but he is getting over it nicely. He has rode all the way on our backward march and I have done my best to take care of him, that is, I have helped him all that I could and he is acoming out all right. You must not take it by my writing that he has been down sick for he has not but he has not been able to march 15 or 20 miles a day. You know any one must feel pretty well to do that. He has frequently wanted to march on foot with us but I have persuaded him to ride and get rested up. Tell James Andrews that I read a letter from him a few days since & will write to him soon. I wish I had something new to write to you. I guess I will get something where we get to St. Louis.

I have seen about enough of this part of the country although it has been very favorable for us. We have had pleasant weather all the time with the exception of a few days.

 # 23

I expect it is quite cool weather in Iowa now. I heard that you had snow there the same day that we did in Arkansas. It freezes here a little almost every night but it is warm enough for comfort through the day.

I am writing about a mile from our camp. We are standing guard here. There is 14 of us together. We only have to stand about an hour apeace through the night and the same in the daytime. One of us is on the watch and the rest of us lay around a good fire and sleep or anything we please but I prefer writing to you who is continually in my mind. I have your picture of our little darlings by my side. How I wish I could see you but distance forbids and we must submit and hope for the best.

James Andrews wrote that he was agoing to work on our cane immediately. I hope he has made it up. It must be a great task for you to have so much on your mind to attend to but Dear Sarah do the best you can, do not work too hard but take good care of the baby.

I guess Abby has forgot to write, tell her a letter from her would be received with great thankfulness.

Lenora wrote to G. that he need not tell you that we get enough to eat for she knew by what others write but Sarah our living is the least of my troubles. I wish that you could have as good as we get. I have never seen an hour that I was hungry, that I could not get all that I wanted to eat and my appetite is better than when I was at home.

When we get to Springfield I shall see Rem Hutchins, C. Sawyer & Cyril Williams. I will then write if we stop long enough and tell you how they are getting along.

Write often Sarah.

A .P. Mitchell.

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