Military Records,Letter Concening E C Smith Pension Application, Ouachita, LA "Submitted for the USGenWeb Archives by DeAnne Norred-Forrest, 03/07/2004" Source: April 15, 1863 Camp Chase near Pine Bluff ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** April 15, 1863 Camp Chase near Pine Bluff Mr. & Mrs. Faulk, I got to camp on the 12th. Found the men in good health & in fine spirits. The Army is recruiting veary fast. The Arkansas deserting is coming in. Since Gen. Price has got here our cavalry starting for the Missouri River today with sixty five hundred fiting men under Gen. Marmaduke. The infantry will not start before the middle of May if then for the want of supplies & transportation. I don't no for certain that we will go to Missouri yet. It seems to be the impression that will be the March. There has not been any order ishued yet. Every thing seems to be quiet. No news from any of the War Departments. I will start to morrow to buy some meals & horse for the Army & may come to see you again. I will _______ down on the Mississippi River in the swamp. Pickett Jackson is not in this part of the Army. His friends think he is not in the Army. He was in the upper part of Louisiana last winter. I haven't heard a word from home yet. I thnk things is quiet in Missouri. Col. Jackman Lupis been in ___________ Co with a regment of Guerilnern's (?) have hel his (sic) one veary well. I have nothing of interest to write about yet. I have not seen Gen. Price yet. He is at Little Rock with the most of the men. I am with Maj. J. H. Finks, QM of Gen. Frost's briggade camped here. We are living veary hard with corn meal pone beef. Get pork about one day each week. The sight of Gen. Price & Smith cured the sick & almost brought the dead to life. Direct your letters to the care of Maj. J.H. Finks, QM of Gen. Frost's Briggade, Price's Army. Nothing more. Margrett & Ann Faulk must write soon. I will try and keep you apprised of the moves of our army. Give my love to all the family and a portion to your selves. Goodby, God Bless you ---- W.H. Smith P.S. Since writing the above I see a St. Louis Republican that quotes Bass Dieu of Howena CV of Small Rock in St. Louis Prison. Pickett Jackson is in your state. Has never been in the Army. The Federals killed 4 of our men going in to _________ all at one place. 2 Mr. Perkins of Sturgeon Boon co. & Mr. Cincy. The other I have forgot his name, all from Boon's.