(No 43)
 Army of Trans-Miss. Dt - 23" Iowa  
Morganzia L a  Sept 8th 1864
  My Dear Wife:  I have been waiting for the mail to bring me letters. but will wait no longer.  I have not recd a line from you since yours of Aug 14th (No 36)  There has been a steamer boat arival this morning from above & I shall hope to hear from you.  I wrote to Austin a few days since.  I have no word yet from Cyrus.  I believe before I mailed my last to you we were ordered to be ready to embark on board steamers at a moments notice.  Well about a week ago at 10 P.M. we were ordered to be "ready to embark at 6 O'clock to morrow morning", we were up & had breakfast over before day-light. we are here yet.  Three Regiments of our brigade left & the 35 Wiscons & 23 Iowa are left here for want of transportation - We expect to follow in a few days - I guess we will either go to Gen Steel or establish a post somewhere near Napolion Ark.  There is nothing going on here of interest - more than the fact that Gen Canby has sent for a few Officials some of them of the 23d Iowa to report to him at N. O.  Capt Ballard has gone at the polite request.  He has been acting Provost Marshall at this post.  Jester Hedge Sutler to the 23d & his clerk, Ex Capt R H & Ex Adjutant C. O. Dewey (each having resigned & figuring around Hedges) are all at N. O.  These names are all mentioned in conexion with cotton - passes or permits to take mules to O. & of selling shoes to "our C S A sisters" outside the lines - There has been a pretty free use of ink & paper in the way of forged permits &c
