On Board the "Mary Crane"
		Ohio River Nov 10th 1862

	Dear Father    not having a chance
to mail the letter I wrote yesterday I will 
write a few lines this morning   we have a
chance to mail our letters at Evansville Inda
we will reach there at 2 or 3 this afternoon
so our Capt says.  I had avery good nights rest
having a birth.  our Col procured a [crossed out] [birth] bunk for
me    while I was busy.  I am one of his staff. [crossed out]  [he don't]
them he dont forget.  The Officers use the Cabin
he made my two sergeants come in and take
cabin passage.  he is liked by evry one.  he is
very plain and quiet   talks but little. one thing
I like very much   he is in favor of
confiscating things that we need and cant get
by other means.  he is of your opinion any how in
taking thing's of Rebels.  I suppose we are about
165 miles from Louisville the river is very low
we run slow but we have passed two boats
   notwithstanding we go slow.

It is 200 miles to Evansville from there 200
miles to Cairo from there 20 miles to Columbus
our stopping place. our Regt will be put in a
brigade and in a division also there.  our Col thinks
We were in a kind of temperary brigade at Louisville
Col Moore of the 25th Michigan Commanding.
the night we moved not taking all the things at
first we sent six teams back after the rest the Col
					         me					
our Col thinking that six were a plenty told ^ that
I might sleep.  I sending my Sergeant after them
thinking that six teams would bring them all they
only brought half.  the other six loads remaining till
morning in the morning I sent my teams after the rest
got my goods on board of the load an hour before
she was ready to start but Col Moore of the 25
Com. brigade   temperary came up to where the
things were and ripped around said the Quarter
master out to be discharged and the Sergeants
reduced to the ranks   I think as long as I obey
my Col having no orders from any one else that
I am doing right   our Col thinks so anyhow thats
enoughf for me.  I am well as usual.  we have
not run aground yet better than I expected.  Your obedient
        Son   Jas L Cathcart.