[Dixon McClure is from Peoria; he marries Jennie (I think?) Cunningham. David McKinney does indeed die a bachelor, in 1903. Also, nice try, Col. Warner.]

Millikens Bend La. April 14 1863

My Dearest Anna

Some few days since I wrote you a letter and sent it by Messrs Doup + Hansel which I suppose you will receive ere this reaches you. Since writing by them I have not heard a word from you and I feel very much disappointed indeed. To day a mail came in for the Regiments, but no letter for me. I thought certainly I would get one and I tell you I was very mad to find for me nothing. To morrow we take our departure from this point. We march through by land to a place called [p2] Carthage, which his situated on the bank of the River about twenty five miles below Vicksburg. What we will do then I can not say certainly, but suppose we will cross the River into Mississippi, and get behind Vicksburg. This place we are bound to take, although it may be a whole Summers work, but I hope we shall get through before the weather becomes so intensely hot.

Dixon McClure came up to see us yesterday and left this morning for his camp. We had a long talk on different affairs, he told me all about his engagement ,and seemed to be pretty well posted up as regards ours. Dixon is a nice fellow and is deserving of a nice Wife. I do not Know much about Miss Cunningham but from all accounts should imagine her to be a very fine young Lady. [p3]

I wish very much that I could get up to see you, but it can not be done. Not a day passes but what I think of you and then I make the wish that this war was over, and we were married and enjoying a life of peace. But this will come bye + bye and when next Fall arrives why we will get married War or no War. I think by that time we will have Vicksburg + Port Hudson in our possession and then probably the fighting will be over in the West, and the Troops will be distributed around to hold what we have already gained. We could then be together which certainly would be very pleasant. I believe I told you that in writing home the other day. I mentioned the fact that very probably we will [p4] be married in the Fall. I wrote home again to day, and told them that I thought they might certainly prepare themselves to attend a Wedding at that time.

I Know very well that they will have no objections but on the contrary would like to see us married as soon as possible. All of our family entertain the very highest opinion of you, {which you certainly deserve} and feel highly pleased that I am going to get such an excellent Wife.

David, Dixon + myself were discussing last evening the subject of Matrimony and very naturally Dixon and myself come out on David very strong for living to his age without getting married. He took it very good naturedly, but offered to bet us that within one year after he [p5] was through with the Army, that he would find some Lady, court her and get married. how true this will turn out, time only will tell but I am strongly inclined to doubt on the subject and venture to predict that David will live + die an old bacherlor.

It is now nearly Seven Months since I have heard seen you, a long time is it not? I think in about four more months I will be with you. I look forward to that day with a great deal of pleasure and hope that the time will soon come around. I might have to come sooner, as I understand that Col Warner is trying to find some crook by which he can get me dismissed from the service, in revenge for his own dismissal [p6] but let him work. I think my military record is clear and I Know of nothing that I am afraid should be brought to the light.

Are you not beginning to get alarmed at the vast numbers of Letters you owe me. Why I write two to your one and you Know the Lady ought to write the most. I am beginning to fear that I am trangressing the laws of Society by writing you in the way I have been doing, so you will have to stir up a little if you do like to hear from me, and write me a few more letters. What do you think about it? I am expecting sure that the next mail will bring me a good long Letter from you and if it does not, I shall be dreadfully disappointed. So do dear Anna write me [p7] oftener, you can not imagine how much pleasure your Letters give me, and if you could see me when they do come and how much happiness they confer on me, I Know that you would write to me oftener. Direct as usual and beleive that I am always

Yours Devotedly

D.P.Grier