Helena, Feb. 18th 1865

Dear Sister, I Received yours on the 17th, the same time I Received fathers. I Am well. I hope you Are the same. we are Expecting orders to Leave Every Day. we have Just had orders to pre pare for inspection At two oclock. that Looks like Moving. theres A great force gone Down the River. two Divisions of Cavalry went down last Night. theres some talk of us And the Twenty Ninth Being Consolid ated. theres An Expedition fitting out Either for Texas or Alabama. it will Be the last Campaign they will get out of our Regt. they Might As Well let us stay here has send Another Regt in our place, which they have to Do. if we was A Dirty undisciplined Set of Men we could Stay without doubt. the thirty fifth Missouri wants to go but it Seems they Aint good Enough. the Express Co. is Busy. the Boys is sending their over coats Home. I And William H. Pells Rolled ours together, sewed A piece of A Sack over them, And sent them for you to take care of them till we Return from the War. you will have to pay the cost And he will pay Me half what it costs. it is Directed to Henry Slagg, Edgerton, Wis. I will Send the Receipt in this Letter. you Must keep A good lookout. My coat is on the outside, the lining is gray, his is Dark Colored. Mine has two inside pockets made out of Drawers. you cant mistake them AS mine is on the out side. I would rather have it then A Dozen of that one I have At Home. its torn A Little on one Wristband But it fits Me to A T. It Cost Me Eight Dollars & A half. they raised the price of clothes when they raised our Wages. I sent word in fathers letter Not to send me A Box And to send word to Harriet Not to. the Expressage on the coats will cost between one And two Dollars. you Must keep A good Look out. I think A great deal of My coat. I have No News to Day. it is Rumored that Charleston is Evacuated. if It is you have heard of it before Now.

I Remain your true Brother Jos. Slagg