Kansas City Mo. Oct 6th 61-
Sunday Evening My Dear Wife and Boy:

Since I ended my last to you, which was on the 28th ult. I have changed my position. On the 29th I received orders to join the command at this point, with all the men that were able to leave the hospital, at the earliest moment possible.

On the morning of the 30th in company with 12 others, 6 on horseback & the others in an ambulance, I started to Ft[.] Lincoln & drew 3 dys rations, & put out for Kans. City, 90 ms. distant. Had no ill luck but rainy weather, & breaking one tongue from our ambulance, & I had a chill two mornings in succession. We arrived here on Thursday noon, all pretty comfortable, & found the boys generally well, but some ague.

I was much gratified to receive one of your letters, though it contained sorrowful, but not unexpected intelligence of father’s death. I hope you are well yourself before this time, am sorry to know that Prentice has still a sore head. I would like very much to have your miniature, & his little face to look at. I will be obliged to stop writing now for they have crowded my tent until I will be oblige to talk. All seem glad to see me return to camp again. Good night with kisses for my loved ones.

Oct. 7th P.M.

I am very well. Was ordered this morning to be in readiness to move back to Mapleton, to take charge of the General Hospital. May be ordered to start at any hour. I had much rather stay on the field for it agrees with me much better than confinement. Joel has received a Captains commission and soon expected on the field with a company of men. A majors commission is ready for him as soon as he arrives with his men. He would be very thankful if his family was only in the east. I am truly thankful that mine are there, though I miss you much, and are very lonesome without you.

We have Gen. Sturges with 3000 men in conjunction with us at this time, which gives us about 7000 men at this point. The secesh have left Lexington & are at Lone Jack, about 70 ms. S.W. of Lexington waiting evidently for Gen. McCulloch to join them. Gen. Rains has 30,000 men & Gen. McCulloch has about 40,000. Siegel is at or near Osceola Mo. with 15,000 men & 60 cannon. Gen. Fremont is below him with 30,000 men. When our forces in Mo. are brought together we will have about 50,000 or 55,000. We will have a big battle in this vicinity ere long. We mean to get a good ready before we commence on them much & then it will be a fearful fight. It is rumored to night that a battle has been fought at Washington: we anxiously wait a confirmation & full particulars. We have no payment.

Mapleton, Bourbon Co. Kans. Oct 10th/61

You will see my dear, that I am again in southern Kansas. Arrived here today, after three days hard travel- for the roads were muddy.- bringing with me one wounded & three sick men. I left this letter abruptly on the 7th, as I was ordered to pack & start immediately, as I set writing. We have no payment yet. The rebel army were reported at only 15 ms. from Kansas City the morning I left, have learned nothing definite from there since.

11th

Our Ambulance started back for the command today with 4 men discharged from the hospital. Dr. Scott left with it as he was ordered & I am in charge. Have not less than 30 patients wounded & sick. One died while I was absent[,] of pneumonia. They got two letters for me here while I was away, & forwarded to K. City. I have today ordered them sent back.

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I am anxious for them as I hope they are from you.

With much love & Good Night kisses
I am truly yours A.J. Huntoon