I'll take the present opportunity to inform you that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same. Ireceived you letter about a week ago and also one from David by the same mail, but have not had time to answer until now. Wee left Springfield on the 30th of Sept. and have been on the march from Newtonia, Newton Co., where there was a little battle fought one week ago where wee came very near getting into the scrape. The Rebels commenced skedadling when wee were within three miles of the Battle field, wee were ordered to throw away our Blankets and go it on the double quick, the way the Blanets over Coats Haversacks canteens and hats flew was a caution. The road was perfectly strewn with the above named Articles, and it was a splendid sight to see the Cavalry and Artillery going it on the full jump, but they were too late to take a part in the fight. The Kansas boys were too much for the Secesh [sessionists]. I have not learned any of the particulars of the fight yet, but guess they got the worse of it for they upset several of their wagons and burnt them on their retreat. Our regiment was fired into by Bush whackers, wounding three (two slighty, the other died two day after he was shot), Wee only have between four or five hundred effective men. Our Company has forty five or fifty men fit for duty, which makes it tolerable hard on us to do all the work, besides taking care of their Baggage, two have died and three have applied for a discharge out of our company and one deseryed yesterday. Him and one out of another company saddled a mile [mule] apiece and skedadled. The one that deserted from our Company had been in the Rebel Army and deserted them three times. His name is Hall, lived in Warren County, Iowa. Wee are getting tough as Mules, march day and night through rain and mud and stand Picket guard twenty four hours without anything to eat, but wee are getting sharp enough to pick our own way through, When on Picket wee scout around untill wee find a rich Sessionest and then wee help ourselves. Wee have plenty of honey for the last week or two converse's Eyes are swelled up so he can hardly see out of them by getting stung on the face by the little creatures. Crops are tolerable good in this section of the country. Wee are getting fat on Secesh Beef hogs and mutton. Wee have please of Apples and Peaches Pears and grapes. I wish I could send you a good supply of them. Wee had a heavy front last night and it is very cold today. I must close for the present.