Mr. Doug Stringer, descendant of Private Lewis M. Corder (Company B, 26th Arkansas Infantry) has kindly given permission for me to share this rather poignant letter. Spelling and grammar are as Private Corder wrote it.

Mrs. L.M. Corder
Fountain hill, Ark.
In the cear of G.W. Etheridge

Camp Hope Ark
Oct 13th 1862

My Dear Beloved Wife and children.

I am onst more bleped with an opertunity to write you a fiew lines. I will give you a histry of my travels sens you left me. The day you left me I marched about fourteen miles all day by my self next day I reached the redgements who was about fourteen miles further. Again we was too dayes giting back when we got back we had ordered to march next morning north wards. So next morning I went to the captain and told him I could not foller the redgement eny futher. He told me to report to the sergent and I dun so and I went to the horse pistol. The redgement is gon I no not whare. We have not heard from them sens they left. Some say they are gon one place and some a nother. All I no I saw them start toward the north I dont know when we will be cared onn and I don’t cear. I am very well satisfied hear. I git plenty to eat. We have bisquit onst a day a plenty of bacon. I manage so as to git a cup of good jensime coffy every night and morning. I work a round and help cook for the doctors and they have the best that is a going. My health is about like it was when you left me. I have gained some strength. My bowels is about like they was when you left. I have not had neare bad spell of paines sens you left me. My dear wife I don’t know what more to write you to interest you. I am going to try to send this letter to Mountiseller by hand. I dont know when I can send a letter by Vernon whether I will see him or not. I no you want to hear from me. I dont know what I would give if I could hear from you and hear how you got home and whether you found your things or not so you must excuse this short letter and I will doo beter next time. My God bleps you and my little children is my daily prayer.

L.M. Corder to his wife and children

Return Address
L.m. Corder Privet of
Company B Third Trans-Mip Volunteers

Private Lewis M. Corder was killed April 30, 1864, during the Battle of Jenkin’s Ferry.