.OTM0.MjMyMQ

the picture on this sheet is an exact representation of the Fair ground in Benton Barracks there is where we had preaching last sunday it is a very pretty place we are in the enemys country but I dont beleive they will fight about here. there was some Cavalry scouts passed here last evening that told us we were all a set of geese fore gathering here they said they ware clear to the Arkansas line and did not see a rebel they sa there is about 6.000 up in north east missouri perhaps we will get to exchange compliments with them yet. we have not recieved a letter from home since we left Keokuk and I think we have concluded to quit writing until we hear from some of you we are writing on our Portfolios for a table and I am so careless that I expect you can hardly read this. I tell you I enjoy camp life first rate none of us would receive a discharge if we could get it when you write tell us the most important news as you get in that old sechesh paper the Sun as we dont get the news often has there been any body drafted yet tell us all the news that transpires in the neighbor hood Jim is writing some to put in with this I have got my sheet full and there is not much in it for all I ought to write a letter to "the Girl I left behind me" yet to day I will try and write a little better than this if I [?] my love to you all Harry Patterson