Steamboat J. C. Snow

Arkansas River, Jan 17th 1863

Dear Mother

The last time I wrote you I think we were at the mouth of White River expecting to go up to St Charles but the result proves that there are very few in this army that know with any certainty the plans of its commanders.

We had everything ready to move on Friday the 9th and started up White River as we expected but had gone but a few miles when we went through a cut-off or bayou into Arkansas River then up the River to within a few miles of Arkansas Post which the Confederates under Gen. Churchill had strongly fortified and were supposed to hold with a large force --- Saturday we landed and our Regiment formed on the Bank of the river.

[The next page of the letter describes the battle for the fort
and how the Union forces eventually prevailed.]

We stayed at and near Arkansas Post until to-day when we came down the river. We were in the Arkansas when I commenced this letter but at present are tied up in the Mississippi near Napoleon. I don't know what we will do next some think we will try another trip to Vicksburg, others that we wil go some place up the river. For my part I don't pretend to Know . . .

There has been a great deal of sickness in our own and other Regiments since we went to the Chickasaw swamps. Our Company is not much more than half fit for duty but none I think are at all dangerous most of them very slight cases --- My own health has held out remarkably . . . .

. . . . If we stay as far south as we are at present I wish you would send me a paper occasionally as they are a very scarce article in this country. For instance we have heard for some days rumors of a battle in Tennessee but do not know the result.

Write as often as you can.

Wm H Jordan