Camp near Decatur Ala.
July 5th 1862

Dear Wife,

I am now seated to pencil a few lines to let you know that I am well and hearty and in as good spirits as I ever was and hope that these few lines may find you all at same blessing. I received your letter of the 23rd June last evening which gave me much pleasure to learn that you are all well.

We have not been paid yet but expect it soon. You asked me how much money I had. I have twenty dollars yet that is what I have lent two dollars till payday and on and could lend all I have but I don't lend to everybody that asks me for some money. I know that I was mistaken about Richmond but I guess it is taken now for the report was last night taken with a loss of 10,000 of our men. Whether it is true or only a Camp story I cannot tell but I think it is true.

You say you fear this war will hang on longer than we expected. It has already hung on longer than we thought but they can not much longer stay in large armies, for we are getting nearly all the railroads from them and that they can't convey their provisions and when they cannot do that any of the large battles will be at an end. They will perhaps go into small squads but I think they will not amount to much.

Tell Lillie [that she] must not wish me sick, for I have been sick enough since I have been in service, for I would like to get home but I do not want to go home sick. If I do not get home before a year I will try to get a furlough, but I am still in hopes that it will close before that time.

You said that you had a dream. You know that I do not put much confidence in dreams and most always take them the contrary. About me going to Hartmans and having so many sores on my breast I am glad that you was disappointed for my skin never was smoother and healthier than now. And you know that [if] I got as close [to] home as Hartman's, I would not stay there if I could get home at all. About a week ago Ed Kiser asked me whether I would not rather work for Hartman at $12.00 pr. month than be in service and I told him no, that is the service. All that is worse is being away from home, but the country needs my service and I am willing to serve. I got the letter you sent by Warner and I think I get your letters very regular but about ten or twelve days after they are mailed as they come a great ways.

You wanted to know whether I thought you could afford to have your likeness taken. I think you could and I would like to see them but I cannot take care of all the things I have got. So I think you had better not send them to me at present for I can well remember how you all looked but I guess the children have grown considerable.

We left Tuscumbia last Monday morning and in two days we got to Decatur, a distance of 45 miles and stayed there in the enjoyment of blackberries till yesterday we started there and came across the river about 5 or 6 miles in a beautiful grove. If we stay here a month longer we will have all the peaches we want. There are [an] abundance of them. When we get out of meat shoot a hog or a sheep but the greatest trouble is they do not furnish us with salt enough to salt fresh meat. The day before yesterday there was one of company A's men shot dead and they caught the man and was going to bring him to camp, and he got away from the man that had him in charge and has not been seen since. The men are generally healthy and in very fine spirits but Albert is sick with fever. I would write about it in my other [letter] for Angelia's sake but Warner wrote a letter to her and I suppose he told her that he was sick. Yesterday General Haskel's Brigade had a fine time celebrating the Fourth. They had speeches and after speaking, the old peacemaker roared about 30 rounds then when they had fired about 30 the whole battery all fired at the same time which made an awful noise to hear 6 cannon go off all at once.

Last Sunday evening I seen four or five Henry County boys in the 14th 0hio. That old widow's son that worked for father's folks is in there. I have not had more than one letter from father and that was beyond Corinth and I answered that but had no answer. He said he would like to have Edwin with him but said he thought he would leave him there at present till he should get settled down. I have not much more to write. The weather is much cooler than it was through June. It is very comfortable and pleasant. I must close in hopes of hearing from you soon.

From your affectionate Husband,

George Kryder