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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number twenty-four
Band Quarters, Columbus, Ky Jan 4, 1864
Dear Mother and Sister. Well Mother today finds me seated to address you a
few lines for I expect that you are like myself, anxious to get a letter or
at least I am rather anxious to hear from home for it will soon be 5 weeks
since I got a letter from home. But I only hope that there is nothing wrong
but I must be patient and see. Well family we had one of the nicest
Christmases as I ever seen. It was so very pleasant. It was as warm as spring
in Iowa but we have had a sad exchange since. The next day it rained all day
and at night it turned to snow and it turned very cold and it has been cold
ever since. We hadn't anything agoing on. Only a theatre and that isn't much
force. I was invited to a dinner on Christmas but I didn't go. I was invited
down to town on New Years evening to two different houses but I couldn't go
to both places at once so I went to the place that I was best acquainted and
you can bet that I had a capital time of it. I wouldn't care if we could stay
the rest of our time at Columbus for I am just a getting acquainted with
citizens. Well the weather is a little pleasanter this morning than it has
been for a few days. Co D of our regt has gone out in the country a few miles
to guard a bridge. My company left here for Louisville 2 weeks ago. They got
there day before yesterday all safe. They went to guard a steamboat. The snow
is about 2 inches deep all over the ground but the ground is to soft to
sleigh ride. I believe I haven't seen a sleigh since I have been in the
South. I hear by letter that it is very cold in Iowa. Mother I guess that
Camp A,B and C will be mustered out of the service when the regt is and that
won't be long for we only have 10 months to serve yet and if I keep my health
that time will soon pass by. Co A of our regt has nearly all joined the
veterans. I had a notion to join them but I gave it up. 400 and 2 dollars
bounty is what takes the boys eye. A soldiers life is too hard a life for me.
But I won't grumble for the band has the easiest time of any of them. We have
more priviledges than any of the boys. Mother I haven't much news to write
today as you will see when you get this. We was mustered for pay the last of
Dec. One of our band joined the veterans. Well I will close by saying Good
Day.Give Sate my best respects. Frank W.Kimble to Mary A.Kimble.
Well sister a few words to you and I must close.Well Eliza I was at a wedding
couple of weeks ago. Myself and our fifer was all of the 14th that was
invited. Oh yes, one chaplin married them. Well we had a nice time of it. We
had a little of most everything to eat that you could think of. And before I
go any further there is two more girls left yet and nice ones to. Me and the
fifer was down to see them last night. I go a sparking oftener now than I did
when I was at home. The place where the wedding was is a tiptop family. They
are quite sylish. I agreed to go to two different places last night but as I
couldn't go to only of of them somebody be disappointed. I have been at 2
weddings since I have been at Columbus. One of them was a soldier. Well
dinner is about ready. I must close. I got a letter from my new gal a few
days ago. She sends her best respects to you. I will stop so Good Day. Excuse
haste. F. W. Kimble
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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Iowa In the Civil War
