Helena, Feb. 7th /65

Dear Sister, I Received yours of the 22nd on the 3rd. Inst. it found me Well. I hope these few lines will find you the same. My Eyes keeps the Same. I guess I Shall have to Wait till I get home before they Are Cured. its With having to Work that keeps them As they Are. We have had some Cold Wet weather. But its fine this morning. We have plenty of peace rumors. the papers states that Jeff Davis has Sent three Commissioners to Washington. the rebs may Make Up their Minds to give It up. they Will unless they are Stupid. We Dont Expect to get Any pay till our time is Out. the None veterans of the Eleventh Can't get Mustered out on account of Not Being Able to Pay them. they have to report to Camp Randall Every Month. That's A good thing if they Receive Wages All the Same. the government Is getting Short of the green Paper. I dont care much About Pay on my Account. I Shall have A Larger Pile When I do Receive It. It is reported that A cavalry Raid is going to be made from Little Rock to this place. theres Considerable of A force of Rebs Somewhere in this State. they have routed one rebel force Between Little Rock And Fort Smith. We heard that A Joe Smith had been giving them Jesse, but heard No particulars. What is tommy going to Do this year. he had A good offer for one year. he Would Make an Hundred And Eight Dollars More then I Do. And Sixty Six to Include my clothing Bill. Is Bill going into Wheat Buying. help is going to be Scarce this year. unless the War Closes that Might make a Difference, if It Ended So We Could get home by Seed time. spring is Close on Hand. the trees is Budding Down here, the roads is Dry When it Dont rain. We have warm Weather once in A while. I Shall have to come to A close. Give my Respects to All Enquiring friends.

From your Brother Jos. Slagg