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Camped on the road to Springfield Sept. 21

Dear Wife:

We are on the March to Springfield. We shall make the trip in two days more. We are having a good time on this march

We do not have to carry our knapsacks. We started last Tuesday.

The distance is 125 miles. I have received, your letter since I commenced writing, it was dated Sept. 6.

Patterson has not catched up with us yet. I shall expect to hear from you again when he comes. You spoke about the corncrib. I told Jim he could put his corn in my crib and he will make one for mine that was the agreement between him and me.

Your must not pay any attention to Barnses stories. Get along the best you can. I am in hopes to be at home in the spring.

I am verry sorry to hear that the baby is sick. I have not got but five minutes to write and I cannot think of half that I want to write and I will close and write again when I get to Springfield.

Sarah do not worry about me. I am enjoying myself first rate.

If any of the boys write that we are having a hard time don't you believe it. I will tell you the truth every time. The boys that enlisted for the fun of it beginning to droop. I was never was more rugged in my life. My time is up. I shall have to go on guard for the first time since we left Davenport.

Excuse this Sarah. It is the best I can do at present.

**

Camp near Springfield, Mo

Wednesday Sept. 24 1862

Dear Wife:

I again find myself seated with writing material to inform you that we have at last arrived in this place. I do not know that we are any nearer a Battle than we were a month ago, although it is said that there is a large force of Rebbels within forty miles of this place but it is doubtful wether they make an attack on this place. I think we shall in all probability stay here a week or two but we do not know anything about it.

We had quite a long march here but it was not a verry hard one for the boys that are made of the right material. Some nights there would not be more that half the regiment march into camp in the ranks. They would fall off one by one and straggle along and get in just in time to get their guts stuffed but they soon got sick of that for them that did not come in with their Company had to do all the drudgery around the Camp night and morning and that fixed them so they could travel.

There is some six or seven of our Company sick but none that

you are acquainted except Rem Hutchins. He was unwell for some time and was left between here and Rolla in the Hospittle, he will soon recruit I think and be up with us, He will be brought through by stage.

I believe that I told you in my last letter some of our

Company had the measles but I forgot to tell you that I have has them years ago so you will have no fear of my being sick with that.

George is well. He Just told me that he had got a letter from home dated 16 Sept. He did not say wether it was from Lenora or not but he said you were all well.

Camp on Mill Creek within 12 miles of Springfield..

Sept, 23 1862

Dear Wife:

We are camped here on a creek where we are doing our washing and cleaning up a little. I do not know wether we shall go to Springfield or not. We have now been on the march 7 days and one day more will take us to Springfield, I think there is not much prospect of a battle in this vicinity,

It is reported that Price in marching on to Springfield 30 or

40 thousand men but that is doubted. If it is so we are ready for him. We have twenty thousand there and more pouring in ms fast as possible. We have four thousand here in this camp besides five hundred cavalry, There is 6000 more only a few miles behind us, I expect they will camp here tonight and we will start together in the morning. We heard good news last night concerning McClellans army. It is useless for me to undertake to tell it to you for you will nave heard it before you get this. I mailed a letter to you yesterday morning. I recd a letter from you last Sunday. We can get our letters every day, they are brought to us by the PM of the Regiment, I am well and hearty. George says he never felt better. Some of the boys have got the measles and some are otherwise sick. Williams and Lol Stannard were left at the hospittle day before yesterday, Hi Jenkins has got the measles, Rem Hutchins and two others were left at the hospittle a few days ago. They are left where they will be well taken care of.

I cannot stop to write much more now for I have got to clean up my gun and accoutrements.

I will write you again soon as I can. If you knew what confussion I write in you would willingly excuse me.

We have enjoyed the march first rate. We have first times, all sorts of fun and nonsense and occasionally some tired legs but you may know that we do not have a verry hard time for we only march from 12 to 20 miles a day.

Direct the same as before. St. Louis is the general distributing office for this department.

Yours truly A.P. Mitchell write soon. I feel anxious to hear from the baby. Patterson has not got here yet. George is awriting,

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