Ft. Pillow Tenn Feb 21st 1863

Uriah Scott

Dear Neice

I received your letter this morning it found me well & in good spirits I was down at the boat this morning guarding some prisoners while they took off 2 24 pounders siege guns which took us till about 3oclock this afternoon and it was raining in the mean time all it could pour down The river is rising fast it is at pretty good height at this time although we are about 3 or feet above water yet I guess there is no danger of no drowning. While we are here I like soldier’s life frustrate and would sooner be here than at home working hard as I used to do love we have nothing to do but stand picket guard evry twelve days & that is not hard work a tall and the balance of the nine we eat sleep and drill a little when we feel like it There is any amount of cotton coming in every day. They give 60 cents a pound for it I got a valentine this morning it was a great one you had better believe if you are going to scool I want you to learn to spell for that is a great help in writing & you will find it out in future Well Rebecca that I would like to see for and that learnt here to write me a letter tell Samantha [?] that I would like to see her and give her a kiss or two you give her a couple and tell her that they are given by my request & give my best respects to all the balance and to all the rest enquiring friends I guess that is all at this time I want you write more the next letter I will close I remain your uncle

Uriah Scott

Direct in this way

Uriah Scott

Col 32nd Regt Iowa Vol

Cairo Ills

[back page] Mr J J Weller you must not rely on this Negro affair for I am not certain that he will get his pay by the first of March he could be hired for about $8.00 dollars a month for the year round we have some calculations of going out to clean Ritcheson of about 3,000 thousand but that will not be hard to do for they always run when it’s a small [friend?] and not armed to amount to any thing

I remain your friend Uriah Scott