Eufaula, Ala.
June 18th 1865
Dear Beloved Wife
With great pleasure I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines in answer to your most welcome letter of the 5th inst. which came to hand last Wednesday, but I did not get it till today. It found me in excellent health hoping these lines may reach you and our loved little girls in good health and fine spirits.
I will now tell you that last Monday three men of this detachment were detailed to go and guard a steam boat on a trip down the river and back and we just got back today. Our business was to gather up government property. We got some cotton an some tobacco and a lot of gun boat iron. It took us five days to make the trip, and now the boat has gone to Columbus ,Ga and is going to make another trip to Appalachicola, Fla. for another cargo. We were in Florida this trip and I saw five Alligators.
I am sorry that I told you that I expected to get home so soon, for it does not look as much like getting home now as it did six weeks ago but I hope you will be patient till the happy time will come. I would like to get home very much, but I am not so uneasy as the danger is over and we get our pay and have not half as hard work as I would if I was working on a farm. I am glad to hear that George is so well and that our old friend Mrs. Crosby comes to see you also Uncle Dan's folks. I forgot whether you told me about George Gunn, but I heard of his death long ago. Talking about writing short letters, I guess we had better write all the news we have or we may forget some before we meet. There is a great deal of our affairs that I am very anxious to know something about. There is that judgement of yours and some other things that local bounty affair should be settled for they may pass a law by and by not to pay those bounties and then we should be too late. We will find something to talk about when we meet.
I am sorry the frost killed our fruit. You did not say anything about the crops. It is always satisfactory to know whether we will have any wheat or not. We have had a very dry and hot time here till now about a week we have had plenty of rain. The river is very high. It is thundering now and appears like rain. I am very glad you hear from Mary Kryder. I think if nothing happens we will go to see them. You may sell our house and lot if you can get six hundred dollars and hold possession till I get home, but do not be too much in a hurry, but if we can get our money together we want to move west as soon as possible. It is raining powerful hard now. I will not finish my letter today for they say they expect mail this evening and I expect a letter. Since the rain is quite cool.
Since the train has come in but brought no mail, so I thought I would close. The company has nearly all gone to Millidgeville the capital of Georgia. You did not say whether you got that box of clothing I sent you. The sergeant that went to Louisville with them says he expressed them there. I have no more news as I will come to a close in hopes of hearing from you soon again. No more this time but remain as ever your true and affectionate husband till death
George Kryder
To Elisabeth, Lillie and Mary
My love to all, my respect to all inquiring
So Good bye. Please write soon and direct to Co. I, 3rd OVC, Macon, Ga.
