Camp Wright Jeffersonville Ind.
Feb. 13, 1862

My Dear Wife,

It is with great Pleasure that I am now taking this opportunity of informing you that I am well and hope this may find you all well. I have not heard from you for sometime. I have been looking for a letter from you but in vain and have been uneasy and fear that you have been sick but hope not.

I will now tell you that we rec'd order to march for Louisville, Kentucky. The next morning at 8 o'clock we started for Cincinnati and there took the steam boat we got to the city about 2 o'clock and then marched through nearly every street and about dark our we got our horses in the boat which was an elegant one but most of the men had to lay down on the floor or sit in chairs, but I had the good luck to get into a berth with a man of Co. K (who had his leg broken at Camp Worcester) and he had no blanket and I had so he let me lay down with him and I was tired and so I rested comfortable. I soon fell asleep and when I waked felt the boat was moving and quivering so she glided down the river and about 9 o'clock we arrived at this city which is opposite Louisville. If you look on the map you can see where this place is. We have our revolvers and some of our carbines, ten to a Co. We have not got our pay yet but they say we will get it soon, and they say as soon as we get it, we will be ordered to Kentucky. Just now there were two boatloads of soldiers came down the river to come in this camp. This is a beautiful place on the river bank and it is sandy and dry here, much nicer than Camp Dennison but we have to stay in our tents again. They say we will have Sibley tents tomorrow.

Feb.15,1862 I received your letter of the 8th yesterday which excites me so much that I hardly know what I am doing. It is very cold here so that it is almost impossible to write but I feel it a duty and must do it today as it is a little warmer. Night before last it snowed here to the depth of four inches and it was very cold yesterday. We have not got our Sibley [tents]yet and yesterday the paymaster clerk was here and they have not got our payrolls yet so we don't know when we will get our pay and I wish you would send me one dollar as I cannot get an opportunity to wash my clothes and my money is very near gone as it will take the last three cents to pay for this letter my paper and envelopes gone as I have lent till I have no more. I am on guard today so between times I get time to write. We have very favorable news from the South and I think we will be home before long as I think it is coming to a close very fast. I do not know what to say in regard to your troubles as it must be great but try and bear up as well as you can. If I ever get back which I think I will soon I will be by you again as true as ever but I am so confused that I cannot think what to say about it but I wish you had had my revolver and put six balls through that villain's heart and if he ever comes around there again take the ax and split his skull for him or show this letter wherein I intend if he ever molests you I [torn off] shoot him as quick as shoot a rebel.

If it were comfortable writing I could write all day, but it is so cold that I cannot write much. But the greatest curiosity I ever saw is green bunches growing on all kinds of trees which the people say will drop off when it comes warm weather. When the other leaves start the people call it mistletoe. I suppose you have heard of it.

Today we returned our first sabres and are now getting new ones with brass hilts. I have tried my revolver and it shoots first rate. I shot it forty paces and hit a paper four inches square. You wished we would all desert and come home. If it was not for the forfeiture of our pay I would desert as I don't believe we will ever get to fight. Hank Tibe deserted last Sunday and has not been heard of since.

Feb. 16. Today I was to church and heard Mr. Warner preach and this afternoon we went out on inspection and had a chilly time of it. We just got back. This morning there was heavy cannonading across the river. I suppose they heard some good news. We heard that our forces took a fort in Missouri. My dear Elisabeth I cannot express love to you as it is beyond my tongue or pen to express but have patience and trust in him who doeth all things well. You say your path is never strewn with roses but keep up courage and you will do well. Do not take trouble about what you wrote to me. If you should be bad off I think I can get a furlough and come home but I am [torn off] --not come at any time.

Write soon and let me know where father is and whether you have heard from any of the other friends. I am very lonesome since I got your letter but I try not to think of it but it is in my mind all the time so I hardly know what to do.

The boys are all well, have very good victuals here good bread fresh beef potatoes hominy coffee sugar in abundance. I must close as supper is most ready and it is cold writing. Direct Co. I, 3rd 0.V.C. Jeffersonville Ind.

No more at present but hope this may find you all well and in good spirits as it grieves me to hear that you are in distress. Keep up courage as there is a better time coming. No more at present but remain your true and affectionate husband until death.

George Kryder
To Elisabeth Kryder
Truly yours so good bye