General Hospital, Fort Scott, May 2nd, 1865.
My Dear Wife:
The reception of your letter last night, dated the 23rd ult, afforded me much happiness... I am happy to tell you that as far as pain is concerned I am entirely recovered, for which I trust I have a thankful heart to the Giver of all good. I am yet some lame, and my leg is weak. I trust I shall soon be entirely well. I trust this may find you all in good health and spirits. And may you so live that you will have a conscience void of offense before our Heavenly Father, is my prayer. Pray for me.
We received the great and glorious news of Johnson's surrender to General Sherman on the 28th ult. This surrender embraces all of the country from Raleigh, N.C. to the Chattahoochee River, Ga. Look on your map and you will see it embraces a vast territory... There is nothing left but a portion of Texas to surrender. The drafted men in camps, by an order of the Secretary of War, are all disbanded, amounting in all to 50,000 troops. We cannot tell when the Govt of the U.S. will begin to muster out volunteers. My own opinion is that the troops can as well be mustered out in six weeks as in six months or a year. But I do not believe the volunteers will get out soon. So far, the purposes of those in power are hid from us. I suppose the powers that be can make as long a tail to the war as they choose. Some entertain great doubts in regard to President Johnson's policy. As far as Grant's and Sherman's policy is concerned, there is no doubt the war would son end -- or rather, the men would all be sent home. They have undoubtedly been fighting for the good of the country. But not so with all. There are many ungrateful wretches in our country who are doing their utmost to pluck the laurels from the brow of the great, good, and invincible Sherman. I pity such creates. Their vile epithets will fall harmless to the ground to be trodden under foot of good men, and recoil upon themselves. Keep this till I see you, that I may read what I have written, that I may judge of the spirit in which it is written in the future...
The only important news in regard to myself is that my clothes are all worn into holes, and I cannot draw any from the commissary, because my description list is not here... I never intend to draw another jacket, for I do not like a bob tail coat no how...
I am the First Duty Sergt. in the new Co. I have been assigned to. There are 26 men from old Co. M in the Co. It was formerly Co. A and is now Co. K. I do not know when I shall go to the company, but will let you know when I go. There is no Capt. to the Co. and I hope there never will be, if he should disgrace the service as some have. One Capt. of the 15th Kansas Cav. has been sent to the penitentiary for life, and another for one year, and others are on trial, and there are plenty more in other regiments who are equally guilty. Rascality is carried on in this country with a high hand. ... I before told you I had a letter from Manley, dated, I believe, on the 2nd ult, giving an account of the battles that Henry and himself were in. I answered his letter immediately. The weather is fine and pleasant. There has been no snow here since February -- not more than three inches deep this winter. I trust it will not be many months till I shall be with you. We must have patience till it is the will of God to send the boys and myself home. Write as often as convenient to your ever devoted Husband,
C. N. Mumford
P.S. Give my love to the children always if I forget to send it. I always think of them and wish them to think of me. C.N.M.