There were burraoks enough
here for twenty - thousand men &
they are all full now [crossed out][wen] regiments
are coming & going all the while
two regiments came the day we
came in all there fifty thousand
or more in & around St Louis in
the various places enough to do
something bye & be when they all
get Drill. There   there pretty strict
here with all there has been two
men shot trying to run the yard
since we have been here, & one man
shot accidently to more were
poisoned by drinking whisky but
I do not drink [illegible] it - I have not 
nothing [illegible] that red feet.
I tried to get a furlaugh of a few
day just befor the regiment left
the Rapids so I could come and
see you & then go [crossed out letters] on through
to [illegible] & meet the regiment
there but they would not give 
me any. The caro did not stop at
Adrian any lenght of time consequently 
did not see Uncle Francis. I took
Orland's likeness & had mine taken
and a photograph also which I
left at the depot to be sent to 
Uncle Francis so that you can get
them from there. I had six taken
of a large size & am going to [crossed out] [take] send
a couple east & have sent one to South
Haven, all of us from there had
them taken sent one back of each
by the regiment of the South Haven 
Literary Club which they intend
to have put up in there
hall in a frame. I got a letter from
Orlando the day we left 
Grand Rapids he is well but
was at another place then
      but expected to go back to their
old camp again in a few days.
We have good liveing here such beef,
beacon, potatos, plenty of coffee & sugar
good bakers bread beans rice & but
no butter, such company have
tables cooking [illegible] & a place
to cook by themselves as nice as
need be. I will close now you must
not forget to write soon
Address your letter to St. Louis
Mo. Camp Benton 3d. Mich.
Cavalry. My love & respect to
you all. As ever your Brother
			Augustus