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Camp in the field Near Keetsville, Mo Wednesday morning April 2nd 62. Dear Brother & Sister: The whole force is still encamped a short distance from Keetsville anxiously looking for orders to move forward. When or where we shall go is a mystery as yet unfolded to us. Some suppose that as soon as our forces get Memphis we shall move on to Little Rock. and from there down the Arkansas. Others think that Fort Smith will be our destination. I must confess that I have no idea of our future movements. but hope that they will be each as to afford us, our friends, and our noble State an opportunity to see whether the 13th regiment has been justly or injustly kept guarding posts and away from the scenes of action- the battlefield. I have just received a letter from [Margaridy?] in which he says that many of the reports in regard to the regiment are incorrect and injust. After remaining in Rolla six or eight months and seeing regiment after regiments arrive & depart is it at all strange that the boys should get discouraged and occassionally take the cups until they get quite "salubrious" especially so when these