Head Quarters 3d Regt Michigan
Cavalry    Grand Rapids  Nov 25th 1861

Doctors Kedzie and Thompson
			My Dear Friends
I write according to promise But I can
scarcely tell you my thing new. It is all
“hub-bub” and excitement here preparatory
to a start for St. Louis-Every body busy but
no one knows anything. The officers are
all off to to try and learn something and
the men are trying to find the officers
to find out something-Every body wants 
a furlough to go home and no one gets
a furlough and the more they talk about
furloughs the shorter they make the time
of our stay here. This is Monday afternoon
and the report is now that we shall start 
from here tomorrow afternoon but heretofore
they have said we should leave here Thursday
I think however that we will not get away
until Thursday but shall go then at any rate
They are sending off Boxes to day I am of
the opinion that I shall go with the Regiment 
but cannot tell yet. In fact I dont know 
anything. I barely gueSs-we shall go to Detroit
and cross over to the Mich-Southern and Northern
Indiana RR. I have had no time to do any
thing outside the Hospital to day The
surgeons left this morning for the City
saying I guess Thompson you can run
the Institution to day and they have kept
me humping. Stewart Kedzie is here and
is to have an interview with Col Kellogg
to night. In regard to horses-Good horses go
quick at $9000 but they do not like to
take them if they are much less than 15 hands
high. They have but about 150 horses now
on the ground. They will all be bought
here however and be sent on to St Louis
as just as they can buy them. Did you
sell your Horses at  VtVille to day. I wish
I could remain till you sent your 
horses here, but I fear I shall be one
to accompany the Regiment now. I have
not had time to read a paper or enquire
the news since I arrived here. I did not
settle my horse keeping at Ionia and
I guess it was a good thing for there is
no prospect of my getting any pay now
until about the 1st of January I was not
mustered in until Nov and they are
paid for October. which cuts me off Entirely
at this time. I did not expect we should
so soon. A man has just come in I must 
attend to him Good bye. Please remember
me often with your letters Love to all
As ever your Affectionate Friend
	Albert Thompson

	Monday night [miswritten as “might”] near 12 oclock
Dear Brother
	Since writing the above we have been
holding a counsel of war and decided to have some
women accompany us. Alma has her appointment
as Matron. If she thinks best to go along with us will
you please assist her in getting to Ionia. She will
be obliged to be there Thursday of this week the 28th 
day of the month. I expect it will take about ten
dollars to send the Children home with about the
amount of the [Heifer?] for Alma and myself to 
start with if you can raise it for us. I have given
up all hope of getting any money before the first
			     I
of January-Still I may. If ^ do get any I can pay you
back when we get to Ionia. They are hurrying us off
tremendously. Most of the Goods are Already packed. I 
should be glad to see you at Ionia. They are buying
horses there now. If you have not sold it will be a good
place to offer them. Your kindneSs and also the kindneSs
of Doctor Kedzie has been unbounded towards me for which
I wish each of you to accept the unbounded gratitude
of my appreciative and grateful heart
		Good bye     Albert [penciled in red] [Thompson]