Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, September 29, 1863

In this letter from September 29, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing how busy he has been since his return from a visit home. He notes that he has written to a man on the "Rock Island Road" to inquire about a position which would enable him to be closer to home. Reed also asks his wife if she has heard from his enlisted brother, Erastus H. Reed, since the defeat of Rosecran's army during the Battle of Chickamauga.

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Ottumwa
29th Sept. 1863

Dearest Jennie

I shall be out on the line west of this place most of the [time]for some weeks and have been just as busy as I could be since I come back from Joliet. Last Sunday I intended to write to you but the day before I started out on the road at 5 o'clock in the morning and without breakfast and did not get my lunch or supper until we got back to Burlington 10 o'clock in the evening. I did not get up Sunday morning until quite late and found a note from a friend inviting me to dinner which I felt very like accepting. After my previous fast I for one did [complete] justice to the good things set before us. I shall go to Burlington Saturday evening and remain there until Wednesday or Thursday. I have written to Mr. [Ioucy] about a situation on the Rock Island Road but with very little hopes of getting any thing [sic] to do from him. [Have] you heard from Erastus since the battle and defeat [?] Rosecran's Army. I am almost afraid to hear fearing that he may be killed or wounded.

I learned on the train from Cape Philips that Mr. Richard's mill has been ruined by the explosion of the [vonler] [?]

Yours Affectionately
Saml. B. Reed