in that little brick church under the preaching of of our dear pastor.  I pray that you may all live as children of the same Great Heavenly King should live.  And that you may see the outpouring of the Spirit such as was witnessed last winter  But the drums will soon beat for lights to be be put out & silence will soon reighn over the thousands who are around me singing some hymns, other songs & some talking, loud & others in squads seated around a little campfire or in their tents talking of their friends, others writing letters & others reading letters from their wives & & I must finish & mail this to night or early in the morning, as the mail goes out then. The Senior Col has promised our Col to let him have 30 of his Cavelry to morrow and go out out on a scout through the country, to see & forage.  I do not know how many the Col will take with him but I have the pomise of a place with them  It is the calculation to "subsist & forage on the enemy" you may read portions of this to Father & Mother & any others you wish.  I would be happy to write to all of them, but I find I have not time.  I will try & write Fathe & Mother soon I have written to you from KeoKuk, St Louis & to Austin from either St Louis or pilot Knob & Cyrus from Camp Davidson. I hope to hear from you soon  And now my Dearest Mary I must bid you an affectionate good bye   I am ever your affectionate husband  Lyle
