1862 August 12 Cairo, Ill.

[on patriotic stationery bearing a vignette of the seal of Kentucky]

Cairo,  Aug 12th 1862

Dear Delia
                          I rote a letter
yesterday to send to you and
left it on my table and this
morning I cannot find it, so
I shall have to wright you a
gen, I wrote you on sunday
and enclosed a $20 note and
sent it by express, which
I hope you have receivd ear
this, the wether is very hot and
has been so ever time we came to
this plase, and I consider the
place unhelthy, it is a low
swampy place and the musqetos
are as thick as bees around a hive

[page 2]
I am grately relievd of responcibility
since we came to this place by
not having my teems, we tur
-ned them all over to the Q M
at Jackson, so that I onely have
4 horses and 6 men to look after
which is very forchunate for
me this hot wether, my health
exilante, never better, and the
refts alsow, but I fear if we
stay in this place lo ng it will
not remain so.  The Regts are to
be filled up betwen this and the
18th by draft if not otherwise don
Col Ransom is in Command
of this post and I suppose
we shall remain hear sum
time, we have very good quarters
but the flies and musquetoes
are very troublesom, I hope to
get an oppertunity to go home
while the regt remains hear un
-less you would prefur to come

[page 3]
hear the expenses would be
more for you to come hear, than
for me to go home, but if I cann
-ot get a furlow you must come
hear no matter what it may
cost, when I came from
Jackson I brought off 2 Black
men, they are very good boys, they
doo our Cooking and washing
Pleas answer this as soone
as you recieve it, I want
you to till me what the
piece of coffy is we draw
more than we use and if
it will pay I will send it
home, tell Genie to be
very carful and not fall
in to the mineral holes
when he is out picking
mineral. give my love
to all, and remember me
as ever your affetion-
ate husband W O Shaw

MSS 9722