No [number] 20

My last letter was from Monterey, in which I gave you kind of journal up to the 22nd— I met with no adventure upon my return to Carmango worth relating— I caught a bad cold either by getting my feet wet in a branch one night, on my return, or else by sleeping out in the Chaparral without a tent, which I did on two nights on my return, being the first time I have passed a night during the campaign without a shelter— The next morning after I returned to Carmango I went across the river to Gen. [General] Lamars, camp to hunt for your Uncle Frank , (whom I met on my way to Monterey, as I wrote you [added: in] my last) and to my great disappointment, I found he had left the camp the night before and had gone with the main body of his company about 10 miles distant upon his way to Loredo —I wrote a note which I sent & which would overtake him before he should get any further, urging him to come back at once to my quarters in Carmango, but I had not heard from him when I left— I have met on board this boat, the 1st kinsman of my fathers' whom I have ever seen, a cousin of my father—his name is Gatlin, a brother of the Dr. Gatlin who was killed at Leade's battle ground in Florida — this gentlemen is a Captain in the U.S. [United States] Army— promoted from a Lieutenancy, for his gallantry in the battles of Resaca & Palo Alto — he has been wounded in the battle of Monterey, (in the arm)— and is on his way to the U.S. [United States] for the benefit of his general health which is not good— I think he is very much of a gentleman—

I heard yesturday [yesterday] morning that our Regiment was on their way to Matamaroo & would probably reach these in a few days. I immediately tendered my resignation as Aid De Camp— and recd. [received] orders from Gen. [General] Patterson, to take command of a detachment of our Regiment who had arrived at Carmango two days before[added: as invalids—] and proceed with them on board this steamer—the steam was up when I recd. [received] my orders— I was on board in an hour— and shall soon be with my company again. I regret very much to hear that James Brazelton has behaved very badly (very dissipated) and that he has been discharged. I thought I was very badly hurt this morning— I went to take a bath in the wheel house of the S. Boat— the wheel was turning slowly, and I got as close to the wheel as I could, so that it might throw the water upon me— the steam was let on suddenly & the wheel threw the water with such force I sprang farther off — my foot slipped & I fell upon the open slats and cut a gash above my left ear which bled very profusely— but as soon as the bleeding ceased I dressed and ate a hearty breakfast. I feel no other inconvenience from it, except such I have often felt from a bruise, I will continue to write to you frequently, but my dear wife I have despaired of receiving your letters by mail— tho [though] my anxiety is very great— to know how you are— how Eliza is— & how the little boy is— I know I ought to be with my family— & for one out of many other reasons that Eliza might be at school—

I have generally lived very economically & saving and have had hopes of saving something very clever but my trip to Monterey[added: including purchases of mule & mustang] & this journey to join the regiment, will make a considerable addition to the hole in a moths [months] pay which is made by necessary expenses— My calculations is that we will remain at or in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of Matamoras some two or three weeks, and then that we shall be marched toward Tampico — it must be several months before I can get back home—

I had lost some flesh until my trip to Monterey since which time I have been fattening,— & have felt stouter than I have since I left home—

Direct your letters to me—as Capt. [Captain] C Tenn [Tennessee] [gap] calvary— U. S. Army— Mexico —

My love to Eliza—& your Ma & Hal— & to our little boy—

Yr affection [Your affectionate] Husband

Wm R. [William Richard]Caswell

[added: the tremor of the boat has caused me to write so bad a hand.]

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Mrs. Elizabeth C. Caswell Russelville Jefferson County Tennessee

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