Camp Douglas U.S. 
		Feb 10th/66
Dear Sister Vine
	Your Ever kind & welcom
letter of the 12 of Jany came safe to hand
yesterday finding me in the best of Health
& I was Happy to hear that you was
alive & well for it had ben so long scince
I had hurd from you I had began to 
think you had all forgoten me
as well as the government for I Do
Believe the government has forgoten that
there is such a rigiment in the survis
as the 1st Mich Cav I think we will
Probiley start back acrost the Plaines
about the last of April or the first of
May tell Willey to be a good Boy
for I am coming home one of those Days
& if he hant I will whip whip him
give my love to Amelia & tell hur to be
a good girl kiss little Virginia for me
Excuse my short letter for thare is
now news to write acept my love
& write soon I still Remain your
affectionate Brother, Will adieu 

[Lavinia?] Direct my Letters as I
write the Directions & Don’t forget

	Sergt, W. S. Arnold
	Co. C. 1st Mich Cav
	Camp Douglas
	Salt Lake City .U.T. 
for I have ben tranf transferd to
Co. C. & if you Don’t Do so I may get
them & I may not adieu & write
soon I Remain as Ever yours truly

		Will

Good By

One Day later Feb 11th/66
Dear Mother
	Your ever kind & welcom letter
came safe to hand a few Days ago & you 
may be ashurd it was a welcom  one I
was happy to hear of your good health 
& hope this will find you the still in
good Health as for my self I am in
good health & have ben all winter but
as for Enjoying my self that is out of
the question for I cant Enjoy my self
when I know I am kept hear when I 
ought to be at home & would be if we
had our just Dues we have had a very
hard winter hear the snow was from 4 to
6 feet Deep & we have had slaying Ever
scince the first of December & we havent
seen the Bar ground scince until the 
last weak & that is only on the south
scides of the Mountains you spoke of
apples I wish I could come & Eat some
with you we have plenty of apples hear
but we have to pay for them & we get
two for 25 cents so you see apples are
worth something hear mother give my
love to Benns folks & Elizas folks also
acep my best Love & belive me Ever
your affectionate sun	Will write soon
I dont think I shal be to home before 

[in the left margin written sideways] 

next fall some time I Expect we will start back
acrost the Plaines in the spring Probiley the
last of April or the first of May adieu
Dear Mother

[End writing in margin]