33 



XVII. 



Dear Bro and Family 

 Headquarters 59th 111 VV Tnf. Camp near Huntsville Ala 



March 13th 1865 



I received your letter of Feb 19th a few dyas since. We are 

 quietly camped around Huntsville yet but expect to move 

 this week. The 4th corps ids g:oin^ to Knoxville, Tenn, I 

 think to watch Lee if he should leave Richmond and 

 strike for east Tennessee. We are having fine weather ex- 

 cepting the rain occasionally. Rivers are very high here, 

 carrying away all our temporaiy bridges and therefore 

 have our RR comnmnications cut oif for some time. But 

 it is in running order now. We will go thru to Knoxville 

 on the cars, all excepting our wagons which will be guarded 

 through by some brigade. I understand that will be a bri- 

 gade from the 1st Division. 



Your 149 Ills is now in our Department and we expect 

 to see it soon. I say hurrah for your assisting in filling 

 tyour quotas but not in favor of the big bounties. I say 

 draft first every time. You tax by making bounties, us 

 soldiers that have been in the field ever since the war 

 begun to save some men that have never done anything. 

 Also our mothers and fathers that have all their sons in 

 service have to help pay the tax. And when we come out 

 who have stood the hard knocks, we received nothing. 

 And now to pay us, we have to be taxed to pay men for 

 one year that come in on the eleventh hour. Grofs injustice. 



Jack and I have good health. Do with my money just as 

 you please. I will be satisfied. I remember the baby but 

 I had forgotten its name if it had any when I was home. 

 Jack is very well satisfied mth his new position. 



I can recoimnend the country around Otterville, Sedalia, 

 Tinton, Syracuse Mo. as being splendid and about such 

 climate as St Clair Co. Ills. It is only about 25 miles 

 from Booneville, Mo. Also Spring-field and between Spring- 

 field and Otterville Mo. The mail is being made up so I 

 wiU close. Love to all the children and yourself and Caro- 

 line. Jack sends his love to all. J. Roe Stookey 



Major 59th 111 VV Inftry 



