Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number eight
Camp Heron Davenport, Iowa Saturday evening, March 14, 1862
Well Mother, it is once more that I take my pen in hand to answer your kind
letter of the 8th which I received on the 13th inst?. Mother we have some of
the nicest weather that I ever saw. This has been one of the nicest winters
that I ever experienced in my life. Well Mother we have a very good time in
camp. We don't have anything to do only eat and drink and run about. We have
had dress parade for a few knights back but that is about all we have to do.
Well I think we have something to do before long. I think that we will see
some of the enemy soon for we got orders on dress parade a day or two ago
that we would be payed off in a few days and then report to St. Louis, MO to
organize our regt and then go to Vicksburg to help whip the rebels at that
place. We heard again that we was not a going to leave the state of Iowa, but
I think that is a mistake. It is reported that the paymaster is in town to
knight. If he is, probably we will get payed off Monday morning and leave the
last of the week, but I think we will not leave so soon. But Mother I am
ready to go at anytime if I am called on. For I do not think that I am any
better than the rest of the soldiers in the field a fighting for their
country and homes. Well Mother you need not look for me home for our captain
is gone home. It may be that I will come by if we go south but if I do I will
send alot of things that I cannot take along. If I do I will send them to
Stumptown station. Well Mother I got a letter from Sarah a few days
since.They was all well at that time. The steamboats is running now. I seen 4
at the landing yesterday. Well Mother it is very healthy in camp except the
mumps. I have not caught them yet. Mother I will send those ornaments of
Colonel Davenport's yard. I was in the house that he was murdered in. I guess
I nmust stop writing for the present. Write soon and write all the news.So
good knight.
From Francis W. Kimble to his Mother
I can't find Stumptown on the map. Also notice how he spells the word
"night". Dottie [email protected]
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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