From S.A. Routsong to Wife Ellen

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Andrew County 10 miles North of Rochester— Thursday Evening Nov. 13th 1862 Dear Wife—

I am this Evening so far on my way, I am well & hearty & so is my team- And according to promise I write you this but you will not receive it when you expect it, as there is no Post office on my Route for 20 miles and that will be Maryvill, Nodaway County.


Ellen, I hope you & Children are all well[.] I begin to want to see you & children. Tell Sally for me that Pa. is gone to Iowa.


Ellen, it is perfectly safe traveling so far. Over here the talk is that Quantrill is running South through Johnson & Bates Counties with the Militia hard after him[,] of course you know more about it than they do here. Now I shall write you at little of my course & travels on [[ ] ]the other side[.] from your Husband


[ ] If you wish to write you can do so[.] Direct to Glenwood Mills County Iowa as I will if nothing hapen get these before it can come and I will write as quick as I get there.


Give my best Respect to all that inquires and the balance for yourself. from Sam Nodaway County Marysville Nov[.] 14th Ellen

I have had no chance to mail this until to night[.] I am well & at the Hotell[.] the Landlord’s name is Davis[.] he use to live in Pettis- and has lived 14 years in Iowa- and Nebraska and is acquainted with Wiley and others from Pettis.


Ellen I do not want you to get out of heart after this[.] There is no regular mail South of this[.] This wont start for a day or so[.]


Ellen I am now 148 miles from you. all is quiet. this is a very bad letter[.] last night when I wrote There was from 5 to 20 children making noise[.]


yours truly from your Husband

[ ] Mr. Mr. Sam


I crosed the River at 3 O’clock[.] There was no place to stay at in town[.] it was full of Soldiers, I seen Mr[.] Palmer in town[.] he was glad to see me & thought I had come all the way from Jefferson[.] he said the Report was that the New & Old Militia were fighting withe each other at Jeffe City[.] I stayed all night 19 miles South of Richmond at [Farmvill?][.] I Scraped up old acquantances[.] Tuesday it Rained Snowed & Blowed. I went through [[MS. torn]] and near [[MS. illegible]][.] stayed all night nearly froze and after night 2 Soldiers came to the Same place & staid[,] both Officers in the Regular service[.] they were going home to 4 miles north of Marysville[.] They were on furlough for 10 days[.] one of them had been sick and he wanted to Ride in my waggon the next day and he would see that I was well taken care of[.] We started before [[ ] ] sunrise and traveled untill sunset before we seen his big Brick house[.] Ellen I tell you I did fare fine, my horses was up to there eyes in feed of the best kind. they had not been home since July and from all the Knick Nacks you ever seen was there and I was in the first mess all the time[.] they could not do enough for me they said for letting him ride, Their names are [[MS. illegible]] & Renner Company H.[,] Mcferrens men, Quarters in Lexington, left side as you go in Old town, very fine men I assure you but I will tell more when I come home[.] I crossed the Rail Road yesterday at 12 O’Clock[.] Ellen you will see on the map that I am right between 2 rivers, Platte River and 102 River[,] they both head in Iowa and only 8 miles apart some places[.] I am on the divide a fine high dry road.


Ellen I forgot to say that I had a very bad headache on Monday but I got some Quinine in Lex[ing]ton and cured it and have got well. so nothing more– but good night


Ever Yours S.A. Routsong

[ ] Mr. Brown or Agent please send by the bearer 1 four gallon stone Jar and you will oblige[.]



Nov[.] 15 1862 Yours— S.A. Routsong


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