well it is now growing late & I must close.  I am sorry that I have not time to write more, but you will excuse me I know, we are to march about 45 miles to where we are going, to Doniphan, Co seat south of this.  I do not anticipate a verry hard march, we are bound to to take it slow.  Well good night my dear little wife.  I cannot now answer you question.  I wish I had time, I am afraid that Marion & Billy will not be able to pack their knapsacks & keep with us.  Yesterday Billy hurt his back carrying a log. & this evening Marion has a head ache.  I will tell you in the morning how they they are.  good night, may God bless you 
Good morning my precious wife. O how I wish I could see you & say it.  I am getting more anxious all the time.  I am afraid I will get homesick.  It seems as if we were gaining so slowly on the rebels. & yet they are defeated verry after according to the papers.  It seems now that if we can get posession of them at Vicksburg that the rebellion will be at least cut in too. & after they are [illegible] there will be much trouble with Gurillas!  but we will not despond altogether for God rules. & if we are right He will bring us out. if we are wrong we deserve to be punished
