Illinois  Wallshvill July 20 1862
Dear Brother
	    I am truly thankful for a safe
deliverance from the seat of war. I left South
west Mo on the 12th of June and arived here
on the 4th day of July It got to be so warm
that I was oblige to stop till cooler weather
			         are
My expenses of staying here is but a nice trifle
I have sold three hundred dollars worth of stock
I now have 14 head. My farm before the war
was worth 1,000 dollars. I let it go for 300 dollars
  	     in
and took it ^ a note and stock. I brought with me
about 7 hundred dollars worth of property. I have
been fortunate to save so much, while thousands
have lost their all, and many their lives. When
I set out on my journey, I had but little hope of
reaching St Louis, but I passed through unharmed
and unmolested, I had the great pleasure of visiting
the grave of a loved one at Rolla. Poor fellow as
I [illegible in original] rested on his grave, I could not keep from
weeping as I thought how much comfort we had
				      c
taken together. It made my heart a^he to leave him behind
     Since writing the above, I have bought 48 acres of improved
land at 10 dollars per acres, it is at the edge of a little town
called New Douglas. It is about 47 miles from
St Louis and 12 miles from Litchfield, a rail road
station. There is no house on it _ I wish you could
come out here and help me to build a little house on
it If you will send me a moddle of a little, convenient house

It will be a favor _ Tell Mary Jane I thank her for her
			    a
very kind offer to me I fe^red that the climate of Mich.
would not agree with me _ I am not without apprehensions
here. I was sorry to hear the very poor health that 
Orin was in, also the feeble health of Mother _
Since I made my escape from the horrors of war, it seems
as if I was [illegible in original] with you _ Our repulse at Richmond 
makes my heart ache. I go in for confiscation and
Emanicipation _ When I left Mo, it was very
droughty, I learn that they have had no rain since
The union people there, how I pity them _ they must
suffer Many are in a destitute condition I have seen
them weep and have heard them say that it would
be better for them if they were dead and  in their
graves _ My journey was very tedious, I drove two
yoke of cattle before my waggon. Mary. leade a horse-
back and. drove stock The distance was about 350 miles
I should have started the 12th of May- but [illegible in original] I
went to get my horses shod, and called into the house
where 7 persons lay sick with the Small pox
I waited 22 days, but did not take it, considering
all things, I have been very fortunate _ Since I
came here there has been a large amount of rain
wheat has been injured some Crops are very good
     I am very anxious to hear from you all
do not delay  My love to you all  Mary sends
her respects.		Yours affectionately,
			               A. Royce.

[Written sideways on left-hand side of Scan 2]

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