Humboldt, Allen Co., Kansas. Dec. 17th, 1863.
Dear Wife:
I receive two letters from you yesterday dated the 6th and 24th of last month. I was really thankful to hear from you once more. Your letters came here some two weeks since, but I was 30 miles from here at the Osage Indian Mission, but have now returned here. I hope to remain, and, if I can, shall answer your kind and welcome letters as soon as I get them. Our Co. are all here but 25. They are at the Indian Mission above spoken of. We expect them here tomorrow to remain here. Our Co. numbers 80 men. I think we shall keep together till Spring. There are some 25 new recruits in the Co. That part of our Co. that were in Arkansas arrived here on the 6th of this month. They were all paid before they left Arkansas. We that were in Kansas have not been paid. I suppose we will be paid the 1st of next month. You spoke of sending me money. I do not think it would be safe to do so, and I can borrow a little of the boys, I think, though I have not tried it yet; but I thank you for offering to send me money, and also for the Po stamp. If you please you may send me two or three more stamps, as there are none to be bought here.
I have quite a comfortable place to sleep -- we have two log houses. One of them is all finished -- that is the one I stay in. It is 18 by 22 feet and 22 men sleep in it. The other has no roof on and is not chinked or mudded. That is larger than the one I stay in, but I do not know when they will finish it, it is so very cold. There is about 6 inches of snow in the ground and as cold as Greenland. It has been very warm here till the 13th, no snow before. We usually have plenty to eat -- fresh beef, pork, and some mutton. We occasionally have a chase after the Bush Whackers. We have killed one since I wrote you last, and one of our men was taken prisoner by them; but our men re-took him as they were about to kill him. We have gained a great victory at Chattanooga, which I hope will do our cause some good, at least. It is so very cold I shall have to close, my hands are so numb.
Write as often as you can and be sure I think of you every hour of the day, and can only wish I may be permitted to see you all again in health.
I am, as ever, Your Affectionate Husband,
C. N. Mumford.