Well, Lee, it is near bed time. The boys are taking a small game of euchre. We all play
for amusement in our mess, except McKee. He does not play any. It is very good to pass
time off. We do not play much and none when on a march. We have a ball and play town ball,
wicket and cat. It is good exercise and healthy. And some of us read everything we can
get our hands on. We read anything and everything we can find, even 25¢ novels and
just devour newspapers or old ledgers a year old. The daily papers cost 20¢. If
we are not the brigade to be left here, I do not think we will stay here but a few days
longer. It is said Buell is near here with a large force and I think we have been waiting
on him, and now we will all move down together and no doubt will have a big fight near
Corinth Miss. I think one brigade will be left here or near here, and if there is, we may
be left. Although I do not expect it, for we never have missed yet. I do think our Reg
should be placed in some healthy place for a month or so, and let us rest and a few of
us go home for a few days. But some care for nothing only to raise their name and get a
puff in the papers. I do not think some here care whether there is a man left in our Reg
or not. So they gain a name. Sometimes I think McKee might give me a furlough for a few
days or leave of absence. I would like so well to go home and see my dear family.
Sometimes I think I deserve it, for I do think I have come as near doing my share of
duty as any other one in the Co, and never missed but one march. That was the Ky March
and on account of a boil on my neck. I expected to get to go home long before this when
I joined his Co. But I do not expect to see home till this war is over. I have looked a
little for some of you up since the battle, and I can't help but look for someone, but
I do not expect you, and I think it best you do not come. I still hold on to my Secesh
yauger (as Laslie calls it). I have been offered five dollars for it several times by
Northern citizens (that was when I had pleny of money), but I still thought surely
some of you would come. If I live and keep well, I am determined to take it home with
me. I will quit for tonight. Perhaps something will come up to write.
