(No 41)
 Morganzia L - a  Aug.t 21st 1864  
My Dear Wife:  You will see that We are yet at the old camp, though not at the same locality we left for St Charles.  We are about two and a half miles below - I have not received a letter from you since yours of _____  anouncing that you would stay two weeks longer.  But I suppose you are at home by this time I will immgine so at any rate.  I have no word from Cyrus since the 8th of July - A. Mr Stevens of Co H 23d has a brother in Co M 8th Cav.  He wrote to his brother here under date of Aug 1st  The new it contained has cast a shadow of suspense over me. he states that the cavalry Division (Mr Cooks) to which the 8th atatched were surrounded while on the way to release union prisiners and all but five of the 8th were either killed or taken prisiner.  Col Dorr was wounded & taken. one of the Majors was killed.  Only five had come into camp.  My mind is tortured with aprehensions of the fate of our boy.  He may have been killed on the field. or if not he may have been captured and may have to linger in loathsome southern prisins for months - Col Brownlow of the 1st loyal Tenn Cav was in the same engagement.  He escaped with 16 of his Regt by cutting through the Rebel lines.  He stated that the last he seen of the 8th Iowa they were trying the same desperate feat. & it is posible that more may have acomplished the design.  I can only hope & pray to our Father who doeth all things well that the life of our solder boy may be precious in his sight. We are looking for the steamer Grey Eagle. to day with mail when we may get further news of the disaster and I almost dread to hear the details; The drums are beating for church - The Chaplain of the 37th Ill Veterans is present & I think will preach - I will atend -
