Camp, Mouth of White River.

Ark. Nov. 6th 1864

Dear Sister,

I take the opportunity of Writing A few Lines to you hoping to find you All Well As they Leave me. I have Just Received your Letter of the 26th of oct. And one from Harriet. the Stamps you sent me is Come in Time. I have to Borrow paper to write with. We have Been Expecting the pay master Along for About A month. We used to hear of his coming But that is played out Now. I am only afraid the Reg. will be payed off While I Am Away from it. our Brigade Is Scattered. the Col. is at paducah with a part of his Brigade. the 23rd Left here A few Days Ago for Helena. I dont Expect to have A chance to vote. I suppose you know Where I Am. theres the Brigade Quarter Master. three guards besides myself the teamster two Clerks & one orderly. I dont know where we Shall move to Next. the Last repost was we was ordered to repost to New Orleans. the Adjutant Genl Sent Word they was going to try And get us wintered At Paducah Ky. We Are As far North As I want to be this Winter.

Harriet Sent me Some Golden Seal for my Eyes. But they Are getting Well. Cold Weather will Set them to Rights But its A good thing to have on hand. there dont Appear to be Much fighting or we dont hear of it. Some Illinois Regiments started for home to vote Last Week. I dont see how folks Could think of us going home to vote When We can vote in the field. I think All We have Come Up here for is to Defend the Border While Ill. & Ind. troops goes home to vote.

I should Like the 23rd to have good Winter Quarters. but I Expect they Will have to keep the field as usual. I understand they give Soldiers A chance to Re-enlist two Months before their time is out. the officers of the twenty-third is tired of it has well As the privates. But I guess After they have had a Jolly time At home they will be Ready Again. I think I Shall try it At home A while before Coming Down here Again.

if you havn't News Enough to fill a sheet the Next time you Write Send the Whole Sheet So I Can Answer It on the other half. We may get paid off some of these Days before We Know it. you spoke About it being wet on Missionary Night it was the Same here. We have had some Wet Misty Weather. But its fine to Day (Sunday.) I must close Wishing you All Well. And Enjoying yourselves As Well has circumstances Will Let you. I Expect Hank Looks out At the Corner of his Eyes At Some young Girl Up on the Prairie.

From your Brother Joe Slagg