General Hospital, Fort Scott, Apr. 26th, 1865.
Dear Wife:
With pleasure I received your kind letter of the 16th last night.
I wrote you before I received your and as I have plenty of time, I thought I would employ it in writing you today, as it is quite possible I may soon be situated so that I can not write as often as you would wish.
My mind is not altogether at ease with regard to Henry and Manley. We have no definite news of Sherman's army for some time: only this, that Johnson was retreating and Sherman following him. I sometimes think the news from Sherman is suppressed for some cause. Yet I can not believe there has been any hard fighting in Sherman's army since we heard from Henry and Manley. We got news here in yesterday's newspaper that Jeff Davis, with a small detachment of cavalry, had crossed the Mississippi River into Texas. The supposition is that he was going to Texas to reorganise an army for the prosecution of his designs. If such should be the case, Texas will undoubtedly share the fate of Mo. So far, Texas has not been desolated. It seems that the arch fiend Jeff Davis is determined to ruin the whole south. These reports may be untrue. I hope so for the good of the country. Texas is a very large and wealthy state to its age. It is said that the planters are in possession of much gold and silver. If the Rebels get together there they will cause many of their own throats to be cut and many to stretch hemp. Our Govt is about to send an army to Texas that would pass through the state like a devouring fire, and wo to the people if our armies are sent there; for I am satisfied they will raveage, burn, kill, and plunder. ...
I am tired of the hospital. I think I shall ask to be sent to duty before long. I am not able to do duty, but I think there will be little to do. I hear that Co. M is to be broken up this week and divided between the other companies. I hear I am assigned to Co A which is stationed in Mo., about 25 miles from here. It is called the best Co in the Regt. I send my love to all the children.
I had forgot to tell you that the Govt had ordered that no more guns should be made, and no more clothes made or issued, and all the General officers and staffs to be mustered out that the Govt can spare.
I feel as you do that it is a great mercy to us that our sons in the army have thus far been spared to us and their families. Let us pray God He will yet spare them, and that for a good and wise purpose.
My love I send to you. I am ever your loving Husband.
Chas. N. Mumford