Wednesday Oct 21st 4 P.M.  My dear girl how lonely I feel - On board a great steamer & all on board strangers. yet they are quite social, for we are all soldiers.  They will begin to scatter off at Memphis some to the army of the Cumberland - some to Little Rock, others to Vicksburg &c, only a few are going to Texas. - I cannot help thinking of home & you & I would not if I could - O' those happy days I know that the fifty days I spent with you will live green in our memories for ever - It has been the happiest part of my life - I am thinking nearly all the time about you & where we are at different times - We will probably get to Memphis some time to night - if they should not have to lay up to night
