Humboldt, Allen Co., Kansas, Feb. 23d/64.
Dear Wife:
I wrote you on the 31st Inst. and yesterday I received your very kind and interesting letter of the 7th of the present month. I was truly glad to hear from you as I am at all times. Yesterday the mail brought only one letter and some of the boys said that my folks were the only ones that wrote regular, and, in jest, said they would buy my letter if I would sell it. But I told them they had frequently received letters when I got none. I am quite well with the exception of being lame, occasioned by the kick of a horse, which I think I mentioned in my last. I do not consider the war news from the Army of the Potomac encouraging, but for all that, you may rely upon it that the Southern Confederacy is doomed to certain destruction as the sun is to rise and set in all his magnificent splendor. Could I see you, I could give you my many reasons for so believing, and I think they could not be controverted. The time may be far off or near at hand when glorious peace shall again spread her wings over our once happy land, but that time will come, I tell you what I feel quite sure of, and that the Government of the United States will be established upon a solid, lasting foundation which our children and grandchildren may enjoy in peace and quiet. I have before written you that I was put on the pay rolls as a private, and for all this, I am doing duty as a Sergeant. I have many strong and warm friends in the Co. and they advise me not to sign the pay rolls as a private, as there are no charges against me, neither could I be reduced to the ranks, only by order of a Court Martial, if I should refuse to sign the rolls. I have no doubt in the end I should get my $17 a month instead of $13. Men in the Co. have loaned me some little money and say they will lend me more if I will not sign the rolls. But I do not see that you could live till my time is out without money. But there is no prospect of our getting pay now before the 1st of May next. The paymaster was here for a few days since for the purposes of paying us, but the pay rolls are at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Six men were sent to get the rolls some four weeks since, and should have been back in time to have been paid the 1st of this month. Your advice in this would be very acceptable -- that is, in regard to signing the pay rolls for pay at $13 per month.......
Tell the children all I should be happy to have them write. They must not think hard because I write to you so much more often than I do to them. They can peruse your letters at any time.
Some of our men are enlisting as veterans today. I do not feel as if I should reinlist. Tell me what you think about it. The officers are enlisting (men? MJM) under false pretenses, telling them they will get $200 from the town in which they live, b ut I understand that the quota of towns in ascertained, that is the number to fill the last call for volunteers, and a town bounty voted to pay them only, and that it does not extend to veteran soldiers, although they get the same bounty from the General Government.
The weather is fine here, being as warm as April in Wis. There has been much sickness and death in the country this winter, supposed to be brain fever. So far the soldiers are in much better health than the citizens. Take good care of your stock as you can and keep it all if possible. Keep as good spirits as you can, and if it is the will of God that I shall return again to you, I am in hopes to fetch something to help us in our declining years.....
Accept my love and best wishes for yourself and the children.
I am affectionately Yours,
C. N. Mumford