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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number eighteen
Ft. Haleck Columbus Autust the 18th, 1863
Sister I am glad that I have the pleasure of sitting myself to answer your
much welcome letter which reached me last night just as I was going to play
tatoo. I was glad when I received it for I was expecting an answer from you.
Eliza I have just come from town . I was down to guard mount. Eliza we have
very warm weather for a few days. I believe yesterday was the warmest day
that we have had this summer but I think that we'll have cooler weather next
month. I hope so for the warm weather and heavy duty is very hard on the
boys. The duty is hard now, for the boys hast to go on guard every other day
for the next 4 weeks. We have several men unfit for duty now but none
dangerously sick. I believe and I hope that they may remain so. I expect we
will leave this place before long for the general that has been commanding at
this place has been replaced by General Smith from General Grants army. We
think that we will leave and other troops take our place. I would like it
very well for I am a getting tired of this place. There is nothing agoing on
except steamboats passing up and down the river. We haven't much news at
present except the bombardment of Charleston and Sumpter. Our guns is doing
good work at Charleston so says yesterdays paper. Well Eliza I was out in the
country Sunday. I had all the peaches that I could eat and I brought my haver
sack full of apples into camp. I won't go without fruit when I can get it.
Eliza William Core sent his minature to E. R. Coombs a few days since and I
put 20 dollars in it for Mother. If it went safe it is through before now. I
thought it as safe in that as in a letter. It ain't very safe in either. I
hope it may go through safe. I have an idea that Dad will never come back
again. If he don't and Steve coaxed him off he will rue the day that he ever
didst. If he doesn't come back you and Mother must do the best you can and I
will help you what I can. The next time you write tell me what the
copperheads is doing about Iowaville. Tell me what Molly Stapleton is doing.
Tell Mother I expect to marry S.Biddison or some other man's daughter. If I
don't, I never will marry at all. That's what the matter. Eliza one of our
band started home on furlough of 30 days. We have a flag 50 ft long and a
pole 100 & 50 ft high for it to float on. I would like to be home a few days
to see the family but I guess it will cost too much to come home now. It my
be that I will come home this fall. Liza I want to know if Dad sold any of
the property before he left. Mother I want to know if you sold my rifle.
Eliza it is very still just at present for there is no one in the tent but
myself and our fifer. In the last week there has been 6 regts of soldiers
gone past here on route for home. They was 9 months men and their time is
out. Part of one regt went out of Fort Haleck. They was 34th Wisconsin Vols.
If I had enlisted with the 9 months men my time would of been out, but I am
satisfied as it is. Our time will be out one year from next Oct. and that
won't be long if I only have my health. Eliza I wish you could see our regt
on dress parade once. It would do you good to see the brave old boys. I guess
I must close for the present. My best wishes to all so good day, but remain
your brother. F.W. Kimble to E.E. Kimble. Write soon.
Dottie [email protected]
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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Iowa In the Civil War
