September 7th 1862

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Camp No.9 Corinth Miss, Sept 7th 1862

Dear Mollie,

This is Sunday morning and I take my seat to write you a few lines. I received a letter from Ammon yesterday containing 16 postage stamps and he informed me that you were still down there and you may be there still. I wrote you sometime ago and requested you to send me your and Elmer’s likeness,, but I suppose you didn‘t get the letter before you left home, so I shall not get the likeness this time. But, I want you to tell me when you write whether he is pretty or not, how big is he, what color is his hair (Aunt Ina wrote me sometime ago that she thought he was going to have red hair, how does that happen Mollie?) What color is his eyes? Can he stand alone or walk yet? Does he get plenty to eat? And by the way do you all get plenty to eat, drink and wear?
I would like to know how big the corn is, is it as big as the corn was last year? How did it down in that wet corner? You see I am great on asking questions, you say in you letter that you intend to pay all my debts, that is all right provided you have plenty to spare, but I must caution you about two things. First don’t spare yourself short of money, always keep plenty ahead, for although I am sure of getting my pay form the government, I am a good ways from home and it may not always be safe to send money home. In the second place be careful not to pay any debts I don’t owe. You must be careful also who you loan money to, if you have any money to loan. I think you had better send it to Ammon and let him loan it for you. If there is anything coming to you that is not paid when it becomes due, have it secured by note drawing interest. I will give you a list of all I owe on Bushcreek so far as I know. Mark Austin 75cts., Wilson 25cts., Jim Price five dollars, I believe that is all. If there should be any other accounts or claims presented, you need not pay them without first consulting me.
The taxes on the land where we live and the Peasley land will have to paid before long, but Mr. James or his agent will attend to that and then you can fix it with him. The chattel tax, I suppose I can get Ammon to settle, so you need not trouble yourself about that. I hardly know what to say about your writing to me again soon, I would like to get a letter from you every week, but it is pretty generally believed that we will move from here this week and if we do. I might not get your letter so soon, as writing till we know whether we move or not or where we go to.
It is rumored that three batteries from our division are ordered to Kentucky and as there are four left in the division, we shall stand a pretty good chance to go. The blacksmiths are very busy today setting tire on our gun carriages, which rather indicates that we are going to move somewhere.
Perhaps you had as well write, and direct your letters as here before and if we move I will let you know as soon as I can.
Dear wife, you say in your letter that you don’t feel like going back home till I get there, I can’t blame you for your feelings. I think I know how to feel for you, I too feel lonesome and lonely and long to return to the bosom of my faithful and loving wife and to the society of my children and friends and I sometimes feel as though I could not endure the separation longer. But alas this cruel rebellion bought about by wicked men for the purpose of strengthening and perpetuating the vilest institution that ever cursed a nation, binds me here in fetters of adamant. O, had I the power, I would sweep the leaders of this rebellion from the face of the earth and consign all its aiders and sympathizers to eternal infamy and disgrace,
I see dear Mollie my sheet is full, so goodbye.
Charlie