except for the mineral that may be imbeded beneath its surface, & for the Pines that would be valuable in a Prairie Country, so when you hear any one speaking of cheap lands in missouri you may know that they talking of something they know nothing about.  There are cheap lands, on Humbolt & in the goose creek Mts & on the great Deserts of "Africa & I suppose that the Northern & N. W. portion of Missouri is a pretty good country, but I have no desire to emigrate to any portion of Dixy where the African flourishes.  I would remark here that "contrabands" are growing beautifully scarce in the Iowa Regiments.  Now I have to be cautions with regard to speaking of the number of troop here as the Gen has given orders, for no one to speak of that matter.  But we have we think force enough to march anywhere in Arkansas.  Gen Benton has gone South with his Brigade & we expect soon to follow.  The Paymaster was here a few days since & has gone on to overtake Benton, when he will return & I suppose he will pay us something, some say only two months, I do not know how much we will get, & I don't know what to
