Dearest Wife,

Today is cold and wet.  They say there are about 7,000 soliders here.  There are

enough forts around here to protect it against any force.  Rolla is a government

depot at the end of the Pacific Railroad.  Goods and shipments of all kinds for

almost all the western and central portions of Missouri as wellas for parts of the

Indian Territory and Arkansas are shipped.  We have new regiments from Iowa,

they are a poor lot.  They arrived at the depot eating hard bread and singing "Old

John Brown, Glory Hallaluah."  It is said they lost a battle near Springfield.  This

morning the Captain found out that there was no food left for the Iowa soldiers to

eat.  He went over to invite them to take some hard bread, sow belly and coffee

with us.  I will write as I have the time.

Your Loving Husband,

Mary stood by the door a few minutes after reading the letter thinking about her life and how she

would take care of little John; of course, the baby would be a boy.  Her thoughts moved to the

soldier she loved. She prayed that he would not be killed.

Days passed before John could write his family again.  This time the date was September 24,

1862.

My Love,

We arrived at this camp about a mile east of Springfield at mid afternoon

today.  Springifeld is a pretty town containing some fine buildings and

nice homes seem to be in the center of the blockade.  Business places

are closed except for the government business.  One or two eating

houses seem to be the only places that wish to do anything and these are

not allowed but a couple of hours a day to be open.  Our camp is a wide

level field.  It is a little too far from wood and water to suit me.

At last report there were nearly 20,000 troops in and around this place. 

The 1st Iowa Calvalry came in today for Sedalia.  I think the Iowa soldiers

have been brought a long way for small business.  The 37th Illinois and

26th Indiana along with the 18th and 20th Iowa infantries have arrived.  This

part of Missouri is the best I have seen.  I have noticed many fine farms

and orchards enclosed by stone fences.  There have been some fine

homes burned.  In fact, between Rolla and this point, it is a continuous

scene of desolation.

We are fortified to the northwest by high ground containing about ten

acres. It is earth built in the form of a square with wings at each corner.  It

is enclosed by heavy pilings.  Earth and stones are used to make it some

10 to 12 feet through at the base.  On the outside is a ditch six feet deep

and ten feet wide and another similar work about one mile south

containing about four acres.