File:Letter signed Martin Smith, Jefferson City, to his sister, September 5, 1861.jpg

Transcription: Jefferson City. Sept the 5th 1861

Dear Sister.

I resieved your letter on the second and was glad to hear from you all. I am well at present. I am now on board the Steamer Iatan we have just had a trip up the river about 30 miles on a scout we left our Regt up along the river. and they all went back in the Country to see what they could find. and I returned back to Jefferson City with boat at a place called Providence and went back in the woods and we captured six prisoners and four horses & two mules they were all on horse back. our boys took the horses and mules with them and the prisoners was left in the charge of Sargeant John Miller. & my Selfe with ten privates to guard them we have them on board the boat with us now. in an hour or two we will give them up to the Officer of the guard by orders of the Genl. We had a nice time in takeing them. our Company alone took all of them in the first place we stationed our selves all around a place where they usualy come to hold a secesh meeting and two of them rode in and we closed around them part of the company went up to them and as soon as they see us we cryed out halt and their horses stoped one of them run and the boys shot at him but I guess that they did not hit him Aleck Brothers was the first boy that Shot. And an hour or two after words their five more on horses rode in and we captured them all — our boys feel large on this occasion. Wards Company went above farther than we did I expect that they will have a prize before they come back. they were all anxious to go. I would like to have went with them but they would not let me go they sent me back with the prisoners. they boys will all be back in two or three days. We were in the ranks to leave when I received your letter so I could not read it til the next morning. I expect that will is at Pilot Knob, yet we have not heard from them for a week.

I suppose that you will hear the news that Jeff Davis the reble is dead that is the report here we got it last night by telegraph dispatch we hope that it will not be contradicted.

Sam Watsons wife is here with him she expects to stay as long as he does she has got good spunk. we have got our uniform. — that is our fatigue dress. it is a blue pair of pants blue zouave cap and a House coat. we will get our Regimental suit Soon. I expect our money is ready for us as soon as our boys get back. I dont know as I have any more news to write at preasent I will soon go up to camp and see what the rest of the boys are about. we left Sol[William S. Dumont] there to cook and a few that was not able to go with us. I want you all to write oftener than you do I write rather I get any letters or not. it is not much of a task to write a letter when we have nothing else to do. I dont like to see a hundred letters come into our Company and none for me. Ask Emma if she thought I would not read that letter she wrote to Sol[William S. Dumont] and it read in it to not let Mart read it. Oh how nice it was. I wish (I could get such letters) Write as soon as you get this. without fail. yes and you to Em I will answer yours to. My Respects to all the Family & Friends.

From Your Soldier Brother

Mart.

It may be that I will come home this fall on a furlow I will if I can get one.

Martin Smith 2ond Corporal. Comp. I.

5th Regt. Iowa. Vol.