St Louis Oct 7th 1862 
My Dear Mary, I received two letters from you yesterday, Empson B. brought one about 10 A.M. I am under many obligations for the mittens, I consider them a precious present, one that will often bring to mind the dear hands that knit them. It is verry warm & pleasant yet
 Now my dearest I will not have time to write as we are under marching orders. we may start at any moment, we do not expect to start however until 2 P.M. I wrote to Austin yesterday & last night. I have to write as I can catch a few spare moments from duty, but I know you will excuse me if I do not write connectedly. I will try & express my sentiments and facts. We are ordered to Pilot Knob S.W. about 100 ms. We are now going into the enemy country, & it is altogether likely that we may see some hard fighting for that appears to be the order of the day now 
We will try to do our duty
