Camp Grumble 1½ miles from
  Rolla Mo. December 9th 1861
Dear Friend Joseph Keene,
Yours of Date Nov 25th
came to hand yesterday &
I hasten to reply.
     Your I.nquiries are
perfectly reasonable, & I shall
with the greatest of pleasure
satisfy them, so far as lies 
in my power.
     For six years have I
known Mr Royce, During which
time I proved him to be a good
man, & such is my attachment
to him that he seems like a
Brother. Had I not left him
behind me when I left South
West Mo., I presume I should

not have been in the US.
Army, or especially in a Mo
Regiment. But I could not
bear the idea of going home
to stay, & leave him in Mo
So I retreated to Rolla and
there joind a regiment, in
order to fight my way back
to South west. I have not had
the pleasure yet of seeing him
At one time (7th Nov) we started
for South West, but when halfway
to Springfield we met the
whole army retreating, or one
division of it. Our regt then
returned, to Rolla. Three weeks
since, most of Mr Boyce.'s
neighbors left and came to
our regiment. From them I
			           cate.
learned all I shall now communi^
concerning him

His neighbors left him and
his Wife well. They say he
concluded at one time. to
pack up and go to Mich. ..
& afterwards altered his mind
and determined to stay. A
rabid Secessionist told his neigh
-bor that Mr Royce could not
stay [illegible in original], neither could he leave.
South West Mo. The reasons
assigned, for this ungenerous
prohibition, are that he (Mr R)
had said and done too much.
In early spring Mr Royce made
speeches etc, for the Union.
I fear the rebels will kill him.
But may God forbid  . I Sent
word to him to leave every thing,
behind, that he could not take,
and come with his wife if he chose

Oh! If I could see Mr Royce,
I would be better satisfied. I
would not be satisfied to leave
this State, with Mr R in it.
For our property I would not care
if he was safe. It is the talk
now that the Federal troops
are going to Springfield soon.
If so I may see him if he
is alive. Hundreds of families .
moved from South West, when the
troops left. A thousand times did
I look for him, thinking he
might take a notion to come. I do
not know where to address a letter
that, Mrs R's people may get it.
I learned that her Father had moved
to Iowa but not where.
No communication can be had from
                               n
South west Mo. – o^ly as men arrive.
&. none have come lately.

I cannot see how Mr Royce can stay there.
He can get no news of what is going on in the
North, whether you are dead or alive, and all else
that so much interests him. Should I get
word from him I will Immediately communicate
it to you. If I am where a letter can reach
you. I wish I could visit you. But it is impossible.
Mr Royc often spoke of you all.
He said he had a presentiment, that he would
never see his Mother on this earth. But may it
be otherwise.      When I think of the many [thrice?]
happy days spent with Mr Royc , I cannot
refrain from shedding tears. But this will do
good. I wish you would write me if any
deaths occur in your Families, for I may
get an oportunity to communicate it to Mr R's

From your letter I infer you think Mrs Royce's
people are in Indiana. Formerly they moved
from that State to Iowa, where, I learn they
now are.  __________ Hurriedly have I written
this letter. Should it subserve the purpose
of affording you consolation, I am well paid.
You will Direct as follows.
			       Orin. Baker
				     Rolla Mo.-
[Written upside down]	(Care)
My time is all employed    Col. S.H. Boyd
I act as Orderly Sergeant    24th Mo Vol-
& have much to do. O.B
A great many troops are near Rolla, they are building
winter quarters. A skirmish occurs frequently,
between our troops & the "Secesh," the particulars of which
you doubtless get in the papers . ______ The weather is very
warm and pleasant. We have had some snow, & cold weather.
In haste I subscribe myself your Friend Orin Baker.