Pawnee Creek, Kansas, Aug. 19, 1864.
Dear Wife:
It is, as near as I can remember, two weeks or more since I have had the pleasure of writing to you. We left Humboldt on the 3rd of Aug. for Vernon Co., Mo. Were five days marching there and have been on the go all the time since, and have finally been ordered to camp here, 15 miles south of Fort Scott. I have to leave on a scout into Mo. at 10 o'clock today. I am thankful to tell you that I am well, but fear I shall be deprived of the great privilege of writing as often as once a week.
I came to camp yesterday and found three letters: two from you, the last dated th e9th inst., and one from Manley, dated before Atlanta, Georgia. Manley's letter was written in pencil and without date. I suppose they are fighting there every day.
We have not been paid yet. I think we shall be soon if the paymaster can get to us. I shall send money as soon as I get pay. I have neither paper nor envelopes. The Lieut. gave me this and his tent to write, or I could not have written now.
I am glad to hear that you are getting along so well with your hay. Be sure I will write as often as I can, and do, if you please, write as often as once a week. Direct to Fort Scott, as that is the nearest P. O.
I think the war will end soon if Lincoln is not elected. I fear I shall not be able to write to the boys for several days, but I do wish I could hear from them every week. Though if they are safe now, I think the fighting is nearly or quite over at Atlanta by this time. We get no pay on our horses, by an order of Congress. I shall have to close this short note, as I have to leave. Write soon and often. Give my love to the children and a large share to yourself. I am yours as ever. From your Husband
C. N. Mumford
I will write again as soon as I can. We are in a lonely place here. CNM
Good bye for this time. Kiss Marion for me. I keep scribbling as I have time. I think of you every day and hope the day is not far distant when we will meet again to be parted no more by this cruel war. I am getting -- or rather drawing -- a Sergt's pay. I think I shall be Orderly in two or three months, as the men are quite clamorous about it.
Affectionately your HusbandC. N. Mumford