I was somewhat disappointed when I came back not to receive any letters. I have not had any yet from Austin or in fact any one but you. I have received three from you & my Dear little wife you cannot immagine the pleasure it gives me to get a letter mailed in that well known hand. no matter how much noise & confusion then, I can sit down & shut out the noise of drums & pipes & the loud Jokes & mirth of my fellow Soldiers & enjoy the rich treat. as though all was quiet.
 When you write tell me how often you have written & the date &c and whether Austin or Cyrus or any one else you know of that have written to me so that I may know whether any letters have failed to come to me or not. The mail is on the way here from Pilot Knob hemed in by the force on the way here. with about 3,000 in front & 7,000 behind We are looking for it in every minit. I will quit writing until it comes in hoping to hear from you when I will finish. I will write oftener hereafter -  if not so much. O I do hope to get one of those dear letters.
 Wednesday morning 5 Oclock. I received your of Oct 25. & how  happy I was in reading it. Your letters are so full of tenderness & womanly affection. I have received only four (4) letters & the last one is No. 5 how is it the first one is dated Sept 28; No 2 Oct 6th; No 4 Oct 12; No 5 Oct 25. There are a great many things I want to say but will not have time.  Bird Frederick, Evan Price are all well.  Frederic is still growing & is a good soldier. Bird is a good boy & I think we can get him a position in the post office he is hardly able to endure the fatigues of army duty as it requires the strongest of men.  I must close for want of room.  I will write in about six days again & now my dearest continue to remember in your prayers LYLE
