1862 April 12 Camp Butler, Illiinois.

[on patriotic stationery depicting a red colored vignette of a spreading eagle holding in its beak a banner "The Federal Union, it must be Preserved]

Nelson and Markle Redman
Dear Brothers:
It is also my very pleasant for
me to write to you. I am just
in receipt of yours, dated April
first. I am and always shall
be pleased to learn of your
prosperity. So Father has sold
both the colts. You must not
mind it, but work away
on the farm until the debts
are paid and by the time you
will need them other colts will
grow up. You must be good
and obedient boys. Use all pos-
sible ways to keep the work going

[page 2]
and do not, by all means, quarrel
between yourselves, but do
everything for each other to keep
harmony and peace in the family.
When you work, do your work
good, and when you play, try
to enjoy yourselves; but remember
always that work is first and
then pleasure. If you wish
to reap a good harvest, you
must put your seed in the
ground good, at the right
time. You must also take
good care of your horses
if you wish them to stand
the fatigue of hard labor.
Sow a good deal of grain for I
shall be there to help you to
harvest it. Plant a good deal
of corn, for I know that you
are the boys to work it. In short
try to employ all your time
profitably and juditiously.

[page 3]
I shall send some money
about the first of May, and
then you must get some one
to help you fix the fenses.
You better get some lumber and
make a board fence around
the corner near the school-house.
You say that Annie rock is
married, will I am sorry, but
can't cry. Markle I could'ent
guess whom she married. Boys
you must read all the papers
I send home, and don't forget
to do so. Study all you can and
try to learn to write and have
Emeline show you how to com-
mence a letter. You must learn
all you can so that when you
become men, you can accept
of any position in society which
may be offered you. who knows
but that you both will become
efficient lawyers, or good politicians.

[page 4]

Don't fail or forget to improve every
opportunity to get knowledge
so that you may become useful
in the world. Remember
that Hank says--you will never
regret it and when you
become men you will
thank me for it the advice. I shall
see that both of you will have
as good a chance as I have
had if you only try to do something
yourselves. I want you both
to write to me often and
I shall see whether you make
any improvement in writing
or not. When you write tell
me all the particulars.
Oh! yes, about 1,000 more Secesh
came in today from Island No.
10. We now have to guard
three thousand and they are
rough looking custermers I
tell you. I want you to send
Strock's, Wooley's and Brock's likenesses
to me and send one at a time.
Give my regards to all the boys
and tell Charley Durrin to write to
me again. Give my love to
all the girls. so good-by for this time.

Yours very truly,
W. H. Redman

Nelson L. Redman
Markle E. Redman

P.S. When Virgil comes home, tell him
to write to me and tell me all about the examination a
Tell A. S. Ferguson that he had better answer my letter.

William H. Redman, Corporal, later Captain, 12th Illinois Cavalry

MSS 7415