Record Data
Transcription
Camp Near Elexander [Alexandria] August the 8th. A. D, 1863.
Dear Wife I seat my self to write you a few lines to let you know how I am. I am well at this time and I hope when thees few lines comes to hand they will find you and familey in the verry best of helth. Ive no nuse that would interest you onley I am about half mad. There was orders come in to furlow too men from the companey and to furlow them according to merit. I made sure of one if that was the way but I got cut out of it by our companey officers. My name was carrieg up to hed quarters for the purpos of drawing a furlow but our second lieutenant was in command of our companey and he went up and worked up another man in which cut me out. He livs in the pitsburg [Pittsburg] settlement and so dos the men that got the furlowes but if they had of furlowed them according to merit I would of got one. Not onley me sais so but all of the boys that livs in the Coffeeville settlement. I hav ben well and on duty all the time and I hav ben with the regament every where it has ben and this man that they worked in hasent ben with the regamen much over half of his time. The pitsburg settlement pulls right against the Coffeeville settlement all the time. They are the stranggest and they rool. It is hard for me to take but I cant help my self. I think I will come in next time if I hav good helth. I think they will furlow some more before long. We are going to go across the river in the morning and go out from the river and camp a while and if they stay there any length of time they will hav to furlow the men. If they dont they will go home any how. I think that is the reason they hav commenced furlowing now. The men was deserting. I want to hear from you verry bad. The last letter that I got from you was dated the 10th of June. If you write I dont get your letters. I wrote to you how to back your letters if you hav got them back them like I told you and I think they will come. I havent seen Sid and Thomas since we left Monroe the last time I saw them. They was both well. I want to come home the worst sort to get some peaches and watermeleons and some vegetables. It is verry few we get hear. When we left Campty [Campti] to come down hear I was detailed to come around with the waggons and I got some peaches and watermeleons. That is about all that I hav got this year and I dont expect that I will get much more this year if any and I havent had any vegetables this year. Sid told me the last time I saw him his wife wrote to him for him to tell me that you had a fine garden reddy for me when I come. I hope I will have the pleasure of helpping you eat them yet and that before long but my hops is built on a small foundation. But if I do get a furlow before long you may prepare to get a hard squsing for you will get it sure as I come. We are fareing tollirable well now. We get some flour and some bacon and some corn meal and beef. We got lots of roassenyears while they lastted. I wis you was hear this eavning to hear the bras band. I think it would pleas you but I hav heard it so much that I am tierd of it. Earley Jones was left at Monroe sick. I havent heard from him since we left. If you see his wife and she sais she hasent heard from him you can tell her what I said about him. The helth of this armey is about like it has ben. They get sick as fast as they get well. It is getting dark. Ile hav to close. Giv my best respects to all inquireing friends and receive more than dubble portion for your self and Priscilla. Kiss her for me and Ile return the favor when I come if I am ever spaired to get there. William E. Stoker To Mrs. Elizabeth Stoker
When this you see remember me
Though fare apart may we be.
