Fort Scott, Kansas, Sept. 26th/63.
Dear Wife and Children:
I am again in the land of Dixie and in good health at this date. I started from Madison, Wis. the 16th of this month. I had no opportunity of writing to you before I started, as I did not know that I was going to start more than an hour before we started. We were not paid before we left and I do not know when we shall be paid. There were eleven of us came in company. We were ten days on the way from Madison here. We arrived all well, safe and sound, although the cars ran off the track on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Rail Road 60 miles from St. Joe, which detained us all night. The car ran off that I was in. No one was hurt as it was on the level prairie, so the car could not upset. We were six days coming from Leavenworth here. We came in a six-mule wagon, rather a hard trip. There are only 18 or 20 of Co. M here and they are camped in old, miserable tents. The rest of the Co. are at Fort Smith in Arkansas. About two thirds of the Regt are at Fort Smith. They tell us here that we will be sent to Arkansas in a short time, but we are as likely to stay here a month as any other way. Every thing is all confusion here since the burning of Lawrence. There were 120 men murdered in cold blood by the Guerillas. Soldiers cannot travel safely only in large bodies.
I was greatly disappointed in having to leave before seeing you again, but perhaps it will not be long before I shall be home to stay. We will hope for the best. I fear I shall not enjoy myself but poorly at the best in the service; I think our Regt is greatly demoralized.
I wish you to write as soon as you get this. Write all the little things and all the news. We have a long winter before us. You must do the best you can. I will send you some money as soon as I can, but they say it is very unsafe at present to express money...
Most of the boys think there will be peace by spring. I hope it will be so. It is near 300 miles from here to Fort Smith and there is no mail only as there are trains go through. Therefore you must not think strange if you do not get letters from me very often. You may be sure I will write as often as I can.
I think you better sell the oxen and winter the young stock. Will tell if you get your state money regular.
I am afraid I shall be gone before I get a letter from you, but you will direct Fort Scott, Kansas, Co. M, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry and I shall be likely to get it sometime. I shall write again before I leave here, whether I hear from you or not.
Give my love to all and kiss Marion for me.
God Bless you all.
Your affectionate Husband
C. N. Mumford