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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number four
Camp McClellan Davenport, IA January 6th, 1863
Well Mother I set myself down to let you know that I received your letter
last Sabbath afternoon. It was a pleasant day and I was much better on
Sabbath so I thought that I would go to church. Me and a young man named
Bartholanew Noel. He lives up the river close to Iowaville. I knew him before
we went to the army. It affords me much pleasure to be with one that I used
to know, so me and him went to church at Davenport where we heard a splendid
sermon. There I came across several of our company. So I went up to Camp
Heron and took dinner with my company and I got that letter in camp. I was
glad to hear from home for I began to think that my minature was lost but I
see by this letter that you have got them safe. I have not yet heard from
Sarah since I returned from home. I am getting anxious to hear from her and
to know if she has got my picture that I sent to her. Well Mother I was at a
theatre on Christmas evening which was a very nice arrangement. It rained all
day on Christmas and I stayed in the barracks til evening. On New Years Day
the band went out on the the parade ground and the soldiers formed into
line and we marched down to town. We marched up Main Street and the band
stood to one side while the boys went through several different maneuvers
which looked very nice to the citizens who looked on. Well Mother the
Graybeards has gone for Dixie. They passed through the city of Davenport a
few days ago. We have had the nicest of weather that I ever seen for this
time of year til this present time. It snowed on Monday evening and it turned
very cold on Monday night and the air is sharp enough to take a man's
breath.Well Mother you wanted to know how my health was. I will say that I am
much better than I was a few days ago. I took medicine a few days since. The
soldiers has to dance in camp this evening but I thought I would write a
letter instead of going to the dance. Mother I am in Camp McClellan a
practicing with the band of that camp and I do not know how long I am staying
here. There is reported that the 14th regt will soon be at Camp Heron. You
need not show this to everybody. And if they do we will stay here for the
winter. There is another report that we will go to St. Louis and meet the
regt there. You wanted to know if I wrote to my bib or not. I will satisfy
you by telling you that I have not written her a letter since I was home. I
wrote Anna Russell a letter. I wrote Wm. Biddison one and I have no answer
from any yet. Moher I want you to answer my letters soon as they come to
hand, if you please. So no more. Yours truly from Mr. F. W. Kimble to his
Mother. Direct your letters to Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa in care of
Capt. Currier. I send my best respects to all. You must excuse my mistakes of
writing on both sides of the sheet of paper.
Well Eliza I sent you a novel on Monday morning and the old man a paper in
the evening. I hope that you may get them. Well I must stop writing for it is
getting late. So good evening by saying write soon. [email protected]
Dottie [email protected]
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
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Iowa In the Civil War
