Helena Arkansas June 11th 1865 My Dearest Elizabeth I seat my self perhaps for the last time under the above caption to write to you I am well and harty this morning hopeing this may find you well. I have just been up all night puting horses on the boats so this morning finds us inftry once more but thank fortion the musterout Roles is made out and gon to Litle Rock for approval a Lieut is gon to take them and it will take 4 days for them to go there and back When they come back we are free from the US then the 1st boat we will start up the River to Cairo I do not know whether we will go to Springfield or not We may get pact off at Cairo if so we will be at Home sooner than otherwise Mr Butler of Helena made a speech for us last night but I did not here much of it some of the boys did not like him much Mr Butler is truly Faial[?] I was busy last night helping to make out discharges for Co. A. quite a nice business indeed after so long My discharge with all the rest is gon to Little Rock for Approval I think we will get home in June yet the what day I cannot tel we will be engaged the next 4 days in turning over ordenance Camp & Garrison Equipage the guns I suppose we take home I have no other news to tell you So hoping to see you soon and to stay longer than I did befour I am as ever M A Hooker PS Big diners and the like for the soldier is all nonsense dont pay any attention to Money Yours as ever M A H PS Betime you get this I shal if I have luck be at Cairo so good by Helena Ark. _________________________ McAllisters day book indicates the Lieutenant fell asleep and missed the boat, and they all had to stay under arms for an extra ten days. I have often wondered if this was my great grandfather 2Lt. Warner P. Anderson Patrick J. Anderson http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=patanderson 9654 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 20723