Fort [illegible] Oct. 22 1861

My Dear Helen
	Yours of Oct 17 & 18 is
 just received to day – [illegible] 
you must have received a letter 
from me about the [illegible] you 
wrote – [illegible] Helen my 
dear sister, we leave here on 
Friday morning [neret?] for
 Kentucky – we go from here 
without [army] hoping to find them 
when we get into Kentucky – 
We prefer we go without any to 
taking the poor one we have been 
 [illegible] then we should not get any

better [over?] know we shall be 
around with good [illegible]. 
	We had orders [illegible] 10 days 
ago to [illegible] but have been 
waiting [illegible] for army– we go 
now [illegible] on Friday morning 
We have here at[e?] 9-6. [illegible] & 
go[crossout] over the Mich. Central
R. Road. to Michigan City. There we go 
south over the New Albany & 
Saline Road to New Albany 
We have got a good Regiment & if 
we have an opportunity we shall go to [illegible] [illegible] – I have several 
friends in the Reg. – Doctor Powers
is appointed surgeon – but I don't
don't know as he can go – The [Bored?]
is from Coldwater & Orlando [illegible]

is in it – from here our company 
in the Regiment from Coldwater. 
Oh Helen you cannot begin to
 imagine how much I want to see 
K[?] & [my & your?] dear darling Maggie 
& very beautiful Kittie before I 
go off to the war. But it is utterly
 impossible now – I did hope 
to go see my precious jewels before 
leaving, here, but I am desppondent 
& you are too far I [illegible] your 
letter you expected to see me there
before I left for the war – but I 
have been constantly on the [journey?] 
[illegible] I have been [illegible] & I [illegible] to study 
a good deal to qualify myself for 
duty – I have been so rejoiced to know 
that both my angel babies are well 
I can have them with [illegible] 
[word crossed out] am glad Maggie has got over
those boils – I visited Coldwater week

before last & found everything all right 
there – no not all right – all [illegible] 
& I never can again [illegible] [away?] 
thing [reject?] them – this very beautiful 
darling [Milli ber?] yours to have heaven 
[Low?] Coldwater can never [illegible] 
again reject [illegible] – Mrs Powers 
baby poor little thing was not expected 
to live when I was there last it is now 
much better & There [Doct.?] , wrote news 
yesterday that it would get well – 
I have heard from Kittie & Sarah three times
[illegible] Kittie's her [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] 
sign Kittie is hopping [there?] & if they 
have not entirely overcome the 
Scarlet fever at ther [illegible] I guess 
Kittie had written [illegible] with Helen 
a few days longer – I cannot write 
more now. -- [illegible] kiss our baby for her Papa
[illegible] & hug her & kiss Kitten & [illegible] 
all & [illegible] [illegible] your
				[affection?] [illegible]
				Brother