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Camp Near Pine Bluff February the 28th 1863
Dear Wife I embrace the presant opportunity of writeting you a few lines to let you know how I am. I am well at the presant hoping thees few lines may find you and familey enjoying the same blessing. Ive received yours of the 23rd of January. It came to hand the 24th of this month. I was glad to hear from you. I cant tell you what kind of feelings it puts on me to get a letter from you. I dont know what kind of flessings I would hav to come home and come walking up into the yard. Ive thought about that lots. I would be so over joid I would trimble like a leaf if I am ever blessed with that opportunity. I think I must get about half tight to keep from Fainting when I get there with over joy. Ive got a letter wrote that has ben wrote some time that I was entending to send by Capt Duncan but I dont know when he will start. When I wrote it I thought that he would of ben home in this time but he hasent started yet nor I dont know when he will. I stated in the first letter that I would send you a ring and a ten dollar bill but I want send it without he gose before the mail gose. It is time this letter was there but I keep waitting on him. I aint going to wait any longer. You wrote to me that you received that money that I sent by Sam Stephens and you was sorry that I sent it. You wantted me to keep it and bye me something to eat. That is good polacy. If every thing want so high we bye pork. Some times we hav to pay from 2. to 4. bits a pound. When we can find it Chickens sell from $1.00 to $1.25cts, eggs $1.00 per dozen, butter $1.00 per pound, salt sells from 70cts per pound which is a hundred and forty dollars per sack. I thought that I would send you all that I could spare so you could lay in yours this spring. John Heathcox and Jo Day and Bill Reaves was releaced without being hurt. They was put under gard three days. When Col. Cuberson [Culberson] came up he had them releaced but there is some that was caught and brung back. They are under gard and yet I dont know what will be done with them. I havent seen Thomas since we left Little Rock. I heard from him last week. James Booth and Walter is up there. James wrote to some of the boys that Thomas was verry sick with the fever. He had a bad time as fast as he gets well of one disease he takes another. There has ben so much wet wether that we hav had to moove our camps and scatter about to get on drye ground. I havent seen Sid in a week or more. The last time I saw him he was well. When I see James Booth Ile make him giv me a new note but Ile hav to hav the old note but maby I can do without it by having witnesses. Ile go over to Waterhousees [Waterhouse] Regament in a few days and Ile see Mich Parker and get him to tell me who has got his papers and Ill let you know. I havent received any letters from any boddy since Ive ben in the servis onley you and mother. Ive wrote to Dock and John [three?] times and Mr Griffin once and Mr Bassett once and Ive got a letter wrote Ile send to Mr Colyer. I wish I could get letters every mail. It is so I cant see them all. I want to hear from them. Betty you needent to look for me untill you see me. I wish I could come soon but I dont hav any ideer when I can come. I want to see you so bad. I am nearley ded and the thoughts of Priscilas forgetting me it hurts me. Maby Ile get the chance to come home this spring. Plant lots of vegetables. If I get to come home youL see some of the powerfulest eatting you ever saw for I am nearley perrished out for something good to eat. I havent had any milk since last summer. If I could get some milk and butter and eggs and chicken and Biscuit and some ham and pyes that is too good to think about. I close by saying I remain your effectionate husband untill death.
William E. Stoker
To Mrs. Elizabeth E. Stoker
Kiss Priscilla for me and Ile return the compliment when I come.
