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Camp Near Campty [Campti] on Redriver [Red River] July the 29th. 1863.
Dear Wife I once more sit down by an old box to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope when thees few lines comes to hand they will find you and familey well. Ive no nuse that would interest you. We hav ben on the march from Monroe to this place 9 days. We wont stay hear long. I dont know where we will go. McCullchs [McCulloch] brigade is a hed of us. I understand that they hav crossed the river and gone on down to grantico . I dont know what is their motive. We may go out beyan there a peace and strike camps a while or we may go down on Burfers bay to reenforce General Talor [Taylor]. We understand that the feds are crouding him. He had a fight not long since he whipped them. I understand we allwais whip but the feds holds the ground. When you hear of a fight at any time and at any place you may know that we whipped the fight but it appears that we allways hav to skiddaddle. The men in this armey is the worst out of heart you ever saw and the worst whipped. They hav giv up all hops of us gaining our independance. That is the privats. The officers want say that we are whipped. They dont want the ware to end. There big pay would stop if it was to. The soldiers has commenced deserting again. We hav verry tight orders to obey and there is no talk of furlowes. They say it was part of the contract when they was sworn in which it was. They was to hav 60 days furlow in each and every year and they say if they cant get it they will take a spanish one. There has about 15 left our brigade since the fall of vicksburg. I heard just know that 5 left Waterhouses [Waterhouse]regament last night. Lots of the men is about nakeed and if they cant get close they will be obligeed to go home after them. If you see any boddy that is comeing to our regament send me too boots. Ben Jones wrote to uncle Wade to come after Henry if he comes and hasent started. When you get this you can send them by him. I wish I could come and get them my self but wishing dont do any good. I cant get a letter from you much less hear from you. I wish you could see me this eavning. I am so black and dirty. You couldent tell what my close is made of and I havent no time to wash them and no soap and no pot but I hope it want be so long. When you get this write direct yours to W. E. Stoker Capt. Duncans Co. Cubersons [Culberson] Reg. Haus [Hawes]. Brigade Walkers division Shreveport. L. a. and they will be apt to come. We move about so much the letters gets lost. Write every thing you know and when you write that then let me know if any more of the women has ben playing leapfrog and lizzard with the men. If they are fond of the gaim and they havent got any boddy to play with them tell them to send over after us. We want to play that sort of a gaim the worst sort. Giv my best respects to all inquireing friends and receiv more than dubble portion for your self. Dont forget to kiss priscilla for me and Ile be sure not to forget to return the compliment if I am spaired to get home. Nothing more. W. E. Stoker to E. E. Stoker
