Camp Holloway Mo Oct 11th 1861
Mr J. H. Thomas
Arkadelphia Ark
Dear Sir We have advanced 24 miles west of Granby and six miles west of Carthage. We are now in the vicinity of Jay hawkers and are likely to have an engagement at any time. Our service requires great Vigilance. Although we number only about 250 available men yet we keep out two companies of scouts all the time. Some one comes in daily with a frightful account of the approach of Jay hawkers. We are prepared to entertain quite a number of them. Our camps are inapproachable on the north on account of a recent mill pond that is deep, and mirey. On our south is a very high eminence that commands a view of the prairie East, south and west. Col Tolbert of Mo has a reg of Missourians five miles north of us. Col Greer’s is at Carthage, Col Churchill’s twenty miles south of here and has been ordered up. Gen McCulloch and forces will be along soon. We think that we will have a fight ere long. Our reg is now pretty well drilled and is composed principally of brave and daring men and led by a Col who knows no fear. I expect good work from the boys Whenever an opportunity offers. Cap F. has been sick for a few days past. He went to a house, has not yet returned but is doing well. Will be in camp as soon as the weather fairs off. We heard a few days since by Express that Washington City was taken. We learn by later accounts that Beauregard has possession of the Chain Bridge only. If so the first report will soon be realized. If Washington should be taken I won’t know how to contain myself. Cap F has just rec’d a letter from Judge Stuart Witten at Paraclifta in which he says that Sgt Spence has enlisted about the required number of recruits and will be along in a few days. We are anxiously awaiting his arrival hope he has forty men with “Sand in their craw.” If hostilities continue long we will have a heavy work to do up here. This will undoubtedly be the severest service. It requires such promptness and vigilance and frequent forced marches and a desperate foe to encounter. Desperate for several reasons. 1st where their numbers are to small to attack us, they will steal our horses. If their numbers are greatly superior they should be victorious. We expect very little mercy from them and they would not receive a super abundance from us. We will at all events retaliate. I guess we will march through Kansas and if times are not too bright, we will fall back on Ark for Winter Quarters if such should occur. I will pay you a flying visit as I have been ready for duty every day since enlisting. I will… (remainder is missing)
Camp Stephens Arkansas Nov 13th 1861
Mr J. H. Thomas
Dear Sir
I wrote you a few days ago very hastily but now I have nothing new to write. We are yet expecting the enemy to decend(sic) upon us like a mighty avalance (sic) as the officials are expecting such but Some how or Some how else I never have thought they would come down on Ark and do not think So now. Extensive preparations are being made to receive them in a “Hostile” manner. We hear a great many reports from Virginia, Washington City etc. I will patiently wait the Drift of things knowing that all will be will in the end. I have learned that those of our Company who went home during our absence on Scout obtained furloughs. Yet it was a bad time to leave under any circumstances. We will not go into winter quarters until the border battle is fought or the enemy retire. Twill be pretty “cool” up here on these mountains to remain all winter but then it will all go in the scale of Liberty. Some of us will return on furlough as soon as there ceases to be danger on the border. Cap F. will come and when he returns I expect to come. I am glad that you and a majority of the balance of man Kind are Saved from the Sights of the desolation in S.W. Missouri. I never before valued the full impact of a Conflagration Sweeping over a Land. Although I opened the ball by putting fire into the Grand Prairie next the enemy yet [I] would rather have fought them on that soil than desolate Missouri with fire. It may all be for the best in the end but I must confess I am not shrewd enough to fully comprehend it. At least I think we ought to have fought them at Springfield and if we then had to fall back from Superior force, I would still have been time to do the burning. We have also fallen trees in the road through gaps in the mountains to blockade the roads that the enemy will have to move slowly which will starve them out they having to haul their supplies from Missouri river and the territiories of the pacific requiring 2000 wagons, 20 days to have 10 days rations (according to figures). I am very well Satisfied except the great Suspense and anxiously to hear from all parts of the world at the same time. We will take 25 more men to fill the places of those gone home but I hope that none will come unless they are of the genuine IXL or some other good blood. I am daily expecting my Gursey Woolsy Suit by some unknown turn of fortune. I guess there will be no chance to get a fine soft hat in Arkadelphia. My respects to all. Yours as Ever
Jnothan W. C.