Camp McIntosh Ark
                     Thursday August 21st 1862

Dear Parents,

 We embrace this the first opportunity of writing to let you know that we are both well.  We arrived at this encampment Tuesday evening after a march of 4 days.  We all stood the trip very well except for sore feet.  Charley Bailey was left at Southerlands on Lees Creek at our second encampment sick with the shingles, the balance of the boys from the neighborhood are well.

 We are encamped in Whitfield’s winter quarters 2 miles north of Cane Hill and 12 or 15 south west of Fayetteville.  We are excellently situated; the encampment is very similar to Greers quarters on Frog Bayou, rather better I think.  There is about 50 tolerably snug cabins so that there is about two messes in a house.  Our mess have a very good cabin all to our selves.  The houses come very good last night; on our march we broke one of our waggons and had to leave our tents at the second camp on Lees Creek (Southerlands), they have not yet arrived, and last night we had a very nice rain which brought our cabins in very nicely or rather us in to our cabins.

 This is a very fine country, the best I think I have seen in the state.  We have plenty of the very best spring water, equal to the public spring in Fayetteville.  How long we will stay here is rather uncertain, though I rather think we will stay here until we have a better outfit and probably until we get arms and ammunition.  There is nothing reliable as to the whereabouts of the enemy.  It is reported that there was 300 through the neighborhood 8 or 10 days ago, whether true or not I don’t know.

  I will give you a short account of our journey.  The first day, Saturday the 16th, we left Camp Johnson at 4 o’clock in the morning; having loaded our waggons the night before.  We arrived at Van Buren, as you know, about 7-1/2 o’clock.  Crossing the river we halted at the Pevehouse camp ground about noon.  Distance 10 miles.  The next day we made 12 or thirteen miles an camped at Southerlands on Lees Creek.  During the day we fell in with Uncle George and his boys.  Uncle George followed on after the regiment and camped with us that night.  His family were well then.  The next day we made 16 miles and camped on Cove Creek.  The next day which was Tuesday we marched 15 miles and arrived at this place.  Crops are better in this County than with you.  Fruit is plenty.  We draw apples with our rations.  The soldiers are not allowed to commit any depredation.

        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

(In margins)

 Be of good cheer.  Mother be not uneasy.  May the Lord bless you all.

 We will write again soon if we have opportunity.  Kidd of Cane Hill was murdered by one Parks on last Tuesday.  Cause of difficulty not known to us.  Parks fled.  Thousand dollars offered for his apprehension.

over - over - over

 P. S.  Since we penned these lines the express has come in ordering us to move.  We will move north I suppose in the morning.  Here let me say that the other troops are all on further north.  We probably are to join them.  Farewell to you all.

        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

        Camp Cunningham   Aug 28th 1862
 

Dear Parents,

 We are both still well and hearty.  We have received no letter from you as yet and we are getting rather impatient, hope however to get one soon.  There is no news of importance in camps.  We write to ask you to make John Samuel a knapsack, if you can handly, if not make a haversack.  If you make a knapsack make it about as large as Wms and then I will take my old one for a haversack.  You need have no regard to color or kind of cloth so it is strong.   We don’t need any more clothing at present.  The probability is for a movement northward.  The discipline of the army is without a parallel scarcely.  Nothing more as the drum is beating for drill.

       Yours &c
        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

(Address)

Henry Shibley
Crawford Co., Arks
by the hand of Mr. Phillips

Envelope:
Camp Cunningham, Arks.
Henry Shibley, Van Buren Arks
by the hand of Capt. Wallace

                 Camp Cunningham    Aug. 30th 1862

Dear Parents

 I embrace the present opportunity to drop you a few lines.  We are both well and in good spirits.  Mr. Jas. S. Bushong has got a discharge on account of enlargement of the veins of the leg, called by the Doctor varicose veins.  Uncle George has arrived as you stated, yesterday evening.  They return to you this morning.

 Your letter of the 26th was received on the 18.  It gave us much pleasure to hear from you.  It is reported that a forward move is intended in the course of the coming week.  Gen. Hindman has been here.  He left yesterday for Gen. Raines quarters.  Great discipline prevails in the Army.  Card playing has been suppressed by order of Col. George.

 Capt. Coopers Missouri company has left this regiment.  They will go to Raines.  Dudley Onstot was in that company.  The Boys from your neighborhood are all well except Mr. Spoon.  He has had two chills.

 Give yourselves no uneasiness about us.  We have been in the service about two months and have had very good health so far.

 Sunday evening Aug. 31st.  We are still both very well.  We were at meeting this evening.  The Preacher was Parson Herald of Van Buren.  His text was in the first chapter of John and 29th verse, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”  He did tolerably well, some parts however were rendered rather curious.

 James William has made two trips to this place.  He rode 35 miles in the night and arrived here at daybreak this morning.  We have had cloudy weather for several days and a little rain this morning.  My trust is in God who delivered Daniel from the lions jaws.  If it be true that even a sparrow falleth not to the ground without our heavenly father; then will I trust in God.  And in the language of David “I will not fear what man shall do to me.”

 We wrote to you to make and send us a knapsack, and for fear that letter did not reach you I have mentioned it again.  Give our best respect to Mr. Coleman and Wm. Gill.  Excuse this informal and badly written letter.  Yours as ever.

        Wm. H. & J. S. Shibley

PS.  James Bushong has not got his discharge signed by the Genl as yet.  Don’t say any thing about it to his folks for it may be that he will not get it.  We send this by Capt. Wallace.
John Samuel has got his shoes half-soled.  So we are both safe in the shoe line for some time.

(Envelope:
Henry Shibley
Crawford Co., Ark.
Care Ward & Southmayde, V. B. Arks)

                             Camp near Elk Horn  Friday evening Sept. 12th, 1862

Dear Parents

 Yours of the 2nd was received by the hand of Capt. Wallace yesterday evening.  It found me well and I trust that it would have been so with John Samuel if he had been here.  He was left at Elm Springs as a nurse for Marion West, who was taken sick on Tuesday our First days march from Camp Cunningham.  As I wrote you in our last John Samuel had had the Dysentery a few days prior to our march and was still weak.   The first day we marched about 12 miles and I had to carry his gun a part of the time for him.  Marion West was taken sick with a chill that day and afterward had a very high fever so he was unable to march the next morning (Wednesday).  He wanted some one to stay with him and as we were all afraid that John Samuel could not make the trip we got permission for him to stay with West and an excellent thing it was for we made two hard days march since, both days through the rain and mud which would have been nearly sure to have made him sick and I am entirely sure he would have been left on the road exhausted if not sick.  They are at a private house, very nice people I think (Good Templars).  We have not heard from them but I look for them on in a few days.  James William is here and has been for several days, he is well.

 We are encamped near the battlefield of Elk Horn, in fact, we are in the very valley and spot that the Federals expect to lead the Confederates into and there to annihilate them.  Their fortifications are on every side, all in gun shot of our tents.  I have been out to look at some of them and it is really surprising to see the wickedness of the human heart.  If the Confederate army had have come in as they had designed, it would have been one of the most disastrous battles of modern times.  The most of the fighting was done several miles from here.  Rains and several others are encamped at this place.  The most reliable news that is circulating in camps say that the Feds are fortifying at Mt. Vernon and Springfield, probably it is not true.

 Capt. Wallace arrived yesterday evening, his team however has not come up yet so I haven’t saw the knapsack as yet but expect to tomorrow.   Mr. Spoon was left at the hospital at Mt. Comfort nearly well.  The remainder of the boys from our neighborhood are well.  We have a considerable amount of rain and today we are spread out like buzzards drying.  Crops are very good here where there is any; along the roads however there is but very little fencing from here to Bentonville and particularly about here.

 We do not know which way or when we will move again.  We received two papers yesterday from Mr. Gill which are always thankfully received.  Mr. Thomas was with us the night we stayed at Elm Springs.  He gave me two dollars sent us by Mr. Coleman.  Tell him that we are thankful for the money.  Give my best respects to him and Mrs. Coleman.  Tell them that we will not forget their many kindnesses as long as I may be able to live.

 Wm. and Lewis are well.  Fredrick was left in the Hospital at Mt. Comfort.  Charley Boeley is also well and Tilgman West.  I believe I will write but little else at present.  I could probably interest you by telling of the particulars of the battle ground here but I think I will write again in a few days.   I hope that this may find you all well and enjoying as much peace of mind as the circumstances will permit.  Give my love and respects to Mr. Gill.

        Yours most affectionately
         W. H. H. Shibley

So far as I am capable of judging I do not look for a battle soon.
(Note enclosed with letter #4)

 Sunday morning Sept. 14th.  I still well.  Have heard nothing from John Samuel as yet.  Mr. Spoon arrived in camps yesterday evening.  He is now enjoying very good health.  Nothing important going on that we know of.  John Samuel’s knapsack was received yesterday evening.  I think it will suit him first rate.  Thanks of our mess for the pepper box and pepper.
       Yours as ever
        W. H. H. Shibley

 I think I will hear from John pretty soon.                                  W. H. H. S.

Envelope:
Henry Shibley
Crawford County  Arks
by the Hand of Samuel Stevenson

                           Camp Elk Horn  Friday evening  Sept. 19th  ’62

Beloved Parents and family,

 I have again an opportunity of sending you a few lines by the hand of Samuel Stevenson.  I am well.  John Samuel is still at Elm Springs I suppose.  I have heard nothing from them since they were left behind.  I humbly trust that there is nothing seriously the matter; for they promised that they would write if they did not get along well.   We are expecting them to come up dayly.  So I do not think that either of them is sick to any extent but merely recruiting up a little.  There was another man by the name of Turman from our company left in an adjoining house.  I will send them a letter by Stevenson tomorrow as he promises to go and see them.  I learned by Sam Stevenson and letters to the other boys that you were all well, which is always one of my greatest pleasures.

 We have very fine weather although the nights are quite cool and the days warm; every thing portraying the approach of frost.  I wrote in my other letter for you to send us some clothing.  I rather believe that you had better send us as soon as you have a good opportunity what clothing you think we will need this winter and we will send our cotton clothing home.  I don’t know that there will any clothing issued to the soldiers soon.  I think we will probably draw a blanket a piece.

 I must bring my writing to a close as I am on guard today and will soon have to go on post.   We have but little news of any reliable nature.  There has been a reception of a large amount of ammunition.  It is probable that we will push on into Missouri.  If you send our things please send a needle as some one borrowed ours and didn’t bring it back.

 Give my respects to all, Mr. Coleman, Shriners, Gill, Bailey and others.  The boys from the neighborhood.  Excuse bad writing spelling and composition as I am in a great hurry.  My love to you and all the children.
         W. H. H. Shibley

 Maybe you had better send us one old quilt as they are good in cool weather.

           Elm Springs, Ark.  Sept. 20th  A. D. 1862
 

Dear Parents:

 I am in tolerably good health at the present.  Five days ago which was the 11th I was left here with Marion West who was sick with fever.  He soon began to grow better and is now entirely well.  In the meantime I have been unwell with dysentery but I am much better now.   Marion is going on this morning with Fred Coleman who was left at Mt. Comfort.  As for me I am compelled to remain at this place to wait on a man who has been very sick.  His name is Tirman.  He is from our company.  His fever is broken now so I hope I will not have to stay with him more than a week.

 Our regiment is in the vicinity of the Battle Ground.  The unarmed men are at this place, about 3,000.  Tell Marion’s folks that he is well.  Also to send his winter clothes the first opportunity.  Tell the Colemans that Frederic is well.  Mr. Bernard Meyer arrived at this place last evening.  He is going to return to you this morning.

 We have been staying with a very good and pious family of the Methodist order, named Saunders.  If any of you are passing enquire at the tavern for me.  Give my best respect to Mr. Gill and Mr. Coleman.  Marion West sends his best wishes for your wellfare.  Do not be uneasy about me for God is my Protector.  Remember us in your prayers.

       As ever yours &c.

        Jno. S. Shibley

the name of our encampment.
        Camp McCulloch
                    Tuesday Sept. 30th & Oct. 1st, 1862

Dear Parents:

 It is again our inestimable privilege to have the opportunity of writing to the loved ones at home, and saying that we are both enjoying very good health and together once more after a separation of 20 days.  Your letter of the 19th was received last Friday and I have deferred writing until this evening for this reason.  I had (thought) John Samuel was calculating to come on in a few days and I thought it would be better to wait till he came than to answer your letter so indefinitely in regard to his health and prosperity.  Yesterday evening I was made glad by his arrival and I think he was glad himself.  The Lord has been merciful to us!  Blest be His name!

 I will leave it to him to say how he now feels but I reckon you will count him well when I say that he walked 25 miles yesterday.  The health of the army is good.  We have but few men in the Hospital.  All the West boys are well also.  Wm. Lewis and Frederick Coleman, Abraham Spoon and Charley Bayley, both the Turners and Wm. Bushong are well.  They are from our neighborhood.

 We have but little to write as to army news.  How long we will stay here is uncertain, probably until we are reinforced.  We are drilling twice a day; and are getting pretty well disciplined.  Our Company is the Color Company and is looked upon as being the Crack Company of the Reg.  There is about 25 or 30 hundred men here armed and equipped and there is some 3,000 unarmed men at Elm Springs besides these there is Carroll’s Regt and several other commands that are generally ahead.  There is skirmishing about Cassville, Granby and out through that country nearly every day or two but little result I suppose on either side.

 There was two men executed in the Mo. part of the army yesterday.  One was a Federal that was taken at Lone Jack and after his capture enlisted in a Regt. and then deserted.  The other was charged with desertion and horse stealing.  They expatiated their crimes yesterday in the presence of all the troops at this place.  What a horrible sight.  My heart sickened at it.

 We have got our tents again and are now very well situated.  We have very fine weather now, had a rain day before yesterday, it is now quite warm rather indicating another rain.

 In strolling through camps the other day I came across the veritable Sylvester Capps, none other.  He belongs to the battery that was taken at Lone Jack.  He left Mo. the same spring we did and came down to D. B. Simpson’s where he has been most of the time until he joined the army.  Simpson’s post office is Little Springs, Washington Co., Ark.

 We received your letter and the knapsack, for which please accept our thanks.  James William is well.  I left him at Elm Springs yesterday morning.  I was glad to meet with William and the rest of the boys.  When at Elm Springs I found Mr. Wright and old Nelse of Fayetteville.  While I was at Elm Springs a meeting was raised in the 3rd Arkansas Infantry.  There are but few guns in that regt., and they are old rifles.  These insurgents collected and provided themselves with ammunition.  About 8 o’clock they formed into a mob and marched past two regiments calling out to the men “Fall in, all that want to go home”.  Rumors were rife tht 3 or 4 hundred had deserted.  But when morning came it was determined that only 28 were gone.  About 40 men have deserted that regiment.  The insurrection is I think effectually quelled.

 We have a battery of six guns attached to our regiment.  Three men have deserted from our company, viz., F. M. Durvitt, Jas. Smith and a Mr. Riply.  Perhaps some of them will return again.  Good feeling prevails in camps.  The men appear to be well satisfied with Col. King.

 I saw Jessee Shepard today.  He is well.  While at Elm Springs I saw John Hughes of Middle Fork.  He says his father and two younger brothers have gone to the Feds.  Samuel Hanna is teaching school in that neighborhood.

 You forgot to tell us how much wheat you had.  Wednesday morning Oct. 1st.  Morning has again come and I find us all in health.  Reports came in to camps yesterday evening that there was a fight going on at Utong (Newtonia), Mo. some 35 or 40 miles from here.  Report says that we are beating them back.  We have no certain particulars about it.  When we get them we will write.  We think that a piece of carpet that you spoke of in addition to an old quilt would be first rate.  We thank you for all your kindness to us and remain your children

        W. H. H. Shibley & J. S. Shibley

              Camp McCulloch  Saturday evening Oct. 4th/62

Dear Father and Mother,

 As we have another opportunity we will employ it in writing a few lines to the loved ones at home.  We are both in very good health as are also the others from the neighborhood.  James William is with us and has been since yesterday evening.  He is well and will probably start on a downward trip tomorrow by whom we will send this.

 We have but little news to write but what you will probably have heard before this reaches you.  There was an engagement last Wednesday at Untong (Newtonia) in Mo. between some 4 or 6 thousand of our troops and the enemy.  The Feds were repulsed with the loss of a number killed and a hundred and twenty odd prisoners are at this place now and our Regt. helps to guard them.  They are generally farmers and are from the state of Wisconsin and very poor specimens of Humanity.

 It is thought to be probable that we will move into Missouri before a great while.  We received  letter and several papers from Mr. Gill this evening by which we learned that you were all well.  And also that you talk of coming up to see us.  We would be very happy to see you if you think you can come without discommoding you entirely too much.  Please give Mr. Gill our thanks for the papers he sent us.  Reading matter is quite an object.

 Our fare is better some now than it has been for several weeks.  We now have Beef, Bread and some Mollases but we get but little salt.  We have some yet that Mr. Gill brought us when we were at Camp Johnson.

 I saw letters today by which I learned that it quite dry again with you.  This will interfere with wheat sowing.  We heard that you only had 90 bus. of wheat.  I was surprised at so small a yield.  Our advice to you if we may venture to advise would be to live as well as you can, that is spend your money and save your selves.  Do not suffer uneasiness about us for that will do your selves harm and us no good.  Remember us in your petitions at the throne of mercy.  May the Lord direct that we meet again.  Our Love to All, Smith, Edna, Webster, Boyd, Parks and Jacob Irving.  As ever your sons

        J. S. and W. H. H. Shibley

       Camp 8 miles above Fayetteville
       on the telegraph road, Friday on Oct. 10th/62

Dear Parents and Family:

 We drop these lines to let you know that we are well and the balance of the boys from the neighborhood.  We have been falling back for two days from Elk Horn and it seems that we have been pursued.  It rained both days and nights nearly continually and we have had the worst time that I ever saw.  However we are faring some better as we will probably stay here today and have a chance to dry our clothes.

 John Samuel and I both stood the trip tolerably well though we need our clothing badly and if you can send them to us it would be a great thing for us.  We have no idea which way we will go next, maybe we will come further down and maybe go northward again.  There is every conceivable report in camps in circulation as to the position of the enemy but I can say that but little is known by private soldiers.

 Tilgman West desires you to tell his folks that he is well and wants them to be as expeditious with his clothing as possible as we are afraid that we will go entirely off so that it will be impossible to get them.  Till says he would write himself it there was time but there is very little time to go on before the mail leaves.  Mr. Spoon also wants you to say to Mr. Gill that he is doing pretty well considering the drouth.  He wants his clothing on double quick.

 We received your letter of the 4th before we left Elk Horn and would have answered it if we hadn’t been run from there.  I reckon we have nothing else to write without we had time to give you all the particulars of our retreat.  Our lives are in the hands of the Lord and by his will we will surmount all difficulties and come home safely.  Again farewell till you hear from us again.

      Yours &c
        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

P. S.  Wm. Lewis and Fred Coleman are all on hand and well.

       Camp 3 miles west Huntsville, Madison Co. Ark.
         Saturday  Oct. 18th  1862

Dear Father and Mother,

 Again we are permitted through the mercies of God to say that we are both in good health and spirits.  As you will see from the heading of this that we have again been moving.  Day before yesterday (Thursday) we left the camp above Fayetteville and arrived here yesterday evening.  How long we will stay here we have but little idea.  I rather think however that we will probably stay in this vicinity for several days.

 As for army news I do not (think) that we have any thing more than you have probaly heard, as you will get news as soon as we will.  What the design of our late backward movements are we (privates) can but conjecture.  I hardly think that we have moved backward for fear of the enemy but believe that it was merely a military maneouver.  It has been reported  in camps for some time that the Feds were fortifyed in Springfield.  How when we started from Fayetteville, Col. Capps with his command marched (with 8000 it is said) for Kansas; from this I think it is the design to try to draw the Feds out of Springfield and then for us to go in behind them.  (This is just conjecture.)  The boys from our neighborhood are well.  John West has the sore eyes though they are better now.  Mr.  Spoon has had one chill but is nearly well again.  He has had a very severe cold.

 Frank Dewitt came into camp several days ago by whom we learned that you started our clothes by Mullen.  He came up to within 8 or 10 miles of Fayetteville and hearing that we were moving he turned and went back taking with him the clothes you had started to us.  Joseph Vines died in Fayetteville on the night of the 15th.  I accidentally came across Joe Conley of  Putnam Co. celebrity.  He belongs to a Missouri battery and talks of sho-oo-oting the Feds.  I believe I have but little else to write so we will save the rem. of this sheet and write again in a few days.  Our warmest love to all especially to our dear Parents.

        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

       Camp 3 miles west Huntsville, Madison Co. Ark.
         Sunday evening Oct. 19th  1862
Dear Father & Mother,

 Yesterday I wrote a letter to you and had took it to the express office and hadn’t been back more than an hour or two before, to our great pleasure, James Bushong arrived with our letter and all the clothing that you so kindly sent us.  We were truly glad to hear from you again as it is the first letter since we left Elk Horn.  We are still in good health and notwithstanding poor fare are fat and saucy.

 John Samuel is about 1½ inchers taller than I am and if the war should continue and he continues growing in a short time he will be lengthy.  I wrote in our letter yesterday all the news in reference to army matters that we had.  So we will say but little except that Maj. Genl. Hindman is expected to arrive today.

 Our clothes all fit us first rate and will be entirely sufficient to make us comfortable this winter.  Our clothes were bragged on by all that saw them.  I gave John Samuel choice of coats.  He chose the Green one; they are excellent coats.  With our clothes we also received some cakes and two very large apples.  The cakes we devided among our mess mates.   One of the apples we presented to our Capt. and received his thanks, the other we will part and eat our selves.  For our clothes we are thankful and hope to be able to reward you for your toils in procuring them by obedience and attention to your wants.

 By James Bushong we send our summer pants (except the linen one which we will keep to use as drawers) together with our vests and cotton joseys, also both our knapsacks as we were ordered to draw knapsacks furnished by the Government, and the probability is we will have to carry our clothes after this.  We are sorry having put Mother to the trouble of mak a new one and then so soon throwing it aside but there are many unforseen events happening in the army.  Those that we drew are made out of heavy material having leather straps on them.  We both have our knapsacks entirely full.

 We must not neglect to say that the quilt and carpet are both in hand will bid Jack Frost defiance.  The carpet will be an excellent thing.

 Abraham Spoon, John Samuel and I sleep together and for our bed we now have 4 blankets, 2 quilts, a piece of turkey carpet that we drew large enough to double and the piece of carpet that you sent us.  You spoke about shoes.  John Samuel’s old shoes hold out wonderfully.  They are good shoes yet, in addition to them he has a pair that Marion West found and gave him which are entirely whole.  Mine are very good though they will soon need half-soling.  I have drawn a cap as my hat was worn out.  John Samuel’s hat is very good yet.  We now have 3 pairs of socks a piece as we have but little more than worn out the yellow ones we started with.  John Samuel has a sort of a drop round about that we bought very cheap in addition to the clothes you have sent us.

 We have some three sheets of paper yet beside what you sent us that we got at the rate of 250 per quire.  We have near $3 in money and if we should need it I think we could get more.  I saw Frederick Coleman this morning.  He desired me to say for you to give his father & mother and children his best respects.

 I believe there is little else to write this time.  Your instructions at the last of your letter we hope to comply with although this is an awful place.  This is truly the fire that tryeth the good and bad metal.  Your letters are guardians over us, therefore write often and freely.  I have just finished eating the last of those cakes.  True they and the apples were insignificant in themselves but they expressed the love and esteem of those we regard so tenderly at Home.  We sent in our clothes, a book that we will no longer be able to take with us, also some things that were picked up on the Battlefield at Elk Horn.
      Yours affectionately
       W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

Envelope:
By Express  Camp McCulloch, Arkansas
Henry Shibley, Van Buren  Arks
care Ward & Southmayde

       In Camps on East fork White River
       25  or 30 miles southeast Fayetteville
                     Thurs   Oct. 23rd/’62

Dear Parents:

 A few hours after James Bushong left us [illegible] morning we are marching and after marchng 3 days we arrived here yester evening.  We came by the way of Huntsville and then down the Ozark road.  We are both in very good health yet as are the balance from the neighborhood.  The West boys, Coleman and all others.

 We have but little to write except mere conjecture.  Gen’l Hindman made a speech last night but few heard it but the Officers.  Today is to be a day of general inspection.  It is generally thought that we will not come further south until we are compelled to by superior forces.  There were Federals reported at Huntsville yesterday.  Yesterday we crossed the mountain between War Eagle and this creek and we had to carry our knapsack which was our initiation in to this practice.  We have but little to write as there seems to be nothing more than vague rumors.  We merely wrote to let you know where were &c.  We will close for the present.  Love to all.

        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

Camps of 1st Regt 2nd Brigade

        Camp on Mulberry Arks
        Tuesday morning Nov. 4th 1862

Dear Parents,

 We received yesterday evening your kind letter of the 2nd and were truly glad.   Mr. Peal had arrived a little before it and we had been conversing with him and had found out that you were all well and also the important news of the neighborhood.

 We are all well and want to come home very badly but there is no honorable chance as yet.  We are in hopes that there may be arrangements made soon for us to come home for a few days but we have but very little assurance of it.  Several of the boys from our neighborhood went home yesterday without permission.  They were sent after last night.

 We sent a few lines to you yesterday by A. Smith but we had but little time to write before he started.  Mr. West also promised to stop and tell you verbally how we were and the camp news generally.  There is great dissatisfaction and in camps two or three Companys stacked their guns yesterday and demanded their pay.  They finally took them up again by the Col. Prather promising that the money should be paid as soon as it comes on.

 How long we will stay here is doubtful.  Some think we will go north again this winter.  Transportation is very much reduced so that if we again move up will probably have to carry our clothes if not blankets.  We could hardly give you a detailed account of our late doings on paper.  Laying out without blankets; marching day and night without food; and other hardships all help to make up the life of a soldier.  While we were marching on the retreat just this side the Boston Mountain we received your letter of the 28th.  We were tired and worn out but the spirit of love that was manifested in it buoyed us up in both mind and body.

 Mother wanted to know something about our clothing.  We need a pair of drawers a piece but there is a great deal of clothing here for distribution and as the Factory is burnt maybe we had better draw here and let you keep all the clothing you can.  About shirts I expect we have as much as we can possibly carry.  Come down and see us if you can handily.  Spoon says to tell Mr. Gill to come.

      Yours &c
       W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

            Saturday  7 A. M. Nov. 8th  1862

Dear Parents,

 We are both very well.  I am better of my cold.  We received by the hands of J. West our handkerchiefs and suspenders for which we are much obliged.  They will answer the purpose first rate.  We have no news and there is no indication of moving.  We drew a pr of drawers a piece yesterday.  They are very good and strong.  Nothing of importance happened since you were here except the execution of 3 men the evening you left here.  They were from Washington Co. and had been aiding the Feds.

       Yours &c

        W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

(Envelope)
By the kindness of Mr. Peal.
Henry Shibley
Crawford County, Arkansas

              In camp near the river  Wednesday A. M.
              Nov. 20th  1862

Dear Parents.

 We probably should have written sooner but since we have been here we have had nearly a continual rain and as there has been considerable passing in to the neighborhood I suppose you know how and where we are situated.  We are both well.  There is considerable sickness in camps particularly measles.  Several of the boys in our company have them.  We have no idea how long we will stay here, but it seems probable that we will stay some time as we are building a hospital not of a costly nature but out of round logs.  There is no news in camps worth relating.  The whole army still remains together.  Forage is very scarce.  The teams have had but 3 ears of corn to the mule since yesterday morning.

 I will have to close as we are both on duty today.  The river is rising and now in boating order.  We are encamped ½ mile from the river on the upland in a very nice situation.  We generally get water from a small creek that runs back of us hardly as far off as the river.  If the river was fordable a person could come from the neighborhood by the way of Savage’s here in 6 or 8 miles.

 Nothing more but remain your affectionate children.

       W. H. H. & J. S. Shibley

If you have any questions or comments or if you would like to have more information about the Civil War and
Pension Records of the men who served in these Companies, contact  Jeri Helms Fultz or Bryan Howerton