11th Missouri Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11848

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


Camp Near Memphis, Tennessee
 May 6, 1864
 
Mrs. Rovilla C. Kendall
 
My Dear Wife,
 
This morning finds me well and very anxious to hear from you. It is now nearly two weeks since I left home, and I have not yet received a letter from you. This is the sixth letter I've written to you since I left home. I wrote you from Cairo the evening of the 2nd. We left there the next day and arrived at Memphis yesterday in the forenoon. We came out to camp yesterday evening. We have no tents yet, so we have to sleep out of doors. The weather is warm and pleasant. The grass is fresh and green, and the trees are covered with full-grown leaves. Oh, it is so pleasant here! I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me. The climate here is nearly three weeks ahead of Illinois. We had a very pleasant time coming down the river. We came on a new boat, one of the finest on the river.
 
There are but few troops at Memphis now, as they have gone out after Forrest. No news from the expedition yet. We are to remain here until our division comes up the river. After that, I can't say what we will do. It is a talk now that General Mower will take command at Memphis with 6,000 men, and if he does, we will be very apt to stay near of Memphis this summer. There is no news from down the river. We had a little scare last night. The pickets got to firing a little about 1:00 in the morning, and we thought the rebels were going to try and come in. We fell out in line, but they made no further demonstration.
 
I have not yet received my commission, but I expect it in a few days. I will write you again tomorrow. I am very anxious to see you. I cannot say what I may ask of you if we stay down this summer.
 
Please write soon and tell me everything that I would like to hear. I dreamed of you last night, dear Villa, and you can only imagine how happy I was with you by my side. You gave me such sweet kisses. I hope you may visit my dreams every night, for they are always sweet visits.
 
Give my love to all and do not fail to write soon. I hope this may find you well and happy. 
 
I am, as ever, your affectionate husband until death, 
 
C.D. Kendall
 
P.S. My address: 
 
C.D. Kendall
11th Missouri Infantry
2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps
Memphis, Tennessee
Enclosed, please find a rose. My love for you is as sweet and open as the rose. 
 
Cyrus