10096, 10097, 10098, 10099, 10100. Private Joseph Booth, Co. "H" 14th U.S. Infantry, Camp McPherson, A.T. (letter)

Private Jerome Booth Co. "H" 14th U.S. Infantry Camp McPherson, A. T. The following is a copy of an original handwritten letter, dated October 18th, 1867, Camp McPherson, A.T., written by Private Jerome Booth, Co. "H" 14th U.S. Infantry. The original letter is part of the Bill W. Smith Collection. No attempt was made to correct spelling or punctuation of the original. Private Jerome Booth was killed by Indians November 2nd, 1868 while on Mail Escort near Walnut Grove, A.T. He was shot twice by gunfire in the left side and once by an arrow to the left shoulder. Camp McPherson October the 18th 67 dear brother I after the lapse of nearly six weeks I find myself seated pen in hand awriting to you again I have not heard from home yet the mails are very irregular at present the fast time it left here the red skins about fifty in number surprised the escort and captured the mail and killed the mail rider on the spot the escort beat a hasty retreat back to camp from which they were about 4 miles the Captain then ordered aparty to get aready to go and get the mail or what they could find of it he went with them they found the mail bag cut open and the mail scattered all about they gathered up the mail of which the Captain took charge they discovered the rider where he fell I was then at Wickenburg I had went down with the mail the week before and had the four and tail over the mail contractor getting uneasy at the mail not being in at usual time asked me to go to camp with him which I agreed to do and after dark we set out the reds let us alone until we were about about six miles from camp when they got after us with annoyance the first that we heard of them was the whiz of aflight of arrows backed by an unearthly yell that might wake the dead we gave our animals the spurs and soon left them far in the rear ten more days and I have a year served for Uncle Samule it seems some time since I was at home I havent seen an apple since I left although they are plenty in California Oct the 20 again I take my pen in hand to try and finish this letter I was called for duty the other day and of course had to go and thus missed sending it by yesterdays mail to day is Sunday and it will start Monday from here the mail rider brought the news of aparty of sixteen persons being killed last week near Tucson aplace about one hundred miles from here he also stated that it was impossible for the mail to go any farther then that place there being three hundred mounted indians between that and the next post that is all for the reds this time the nights are nice and cool here now and the weather is very pleasant we havent had any rain since I July I think that rather beats all New York how did that patch of tobacco do that you was trying to raise inspite of the weather I hope it has done well if it wasent for that fragrant meal I cant say what might have become ofL.B. when I think of the good old times at home A bit of the meal is my only consolation how is the farm at home managed this year has father got the cider milk done yet I would like to have about two weeks on the cue about this time how has will ransome and his annie get along ihope uncle dont have any trouble with his dear son well larry I have seen agreat deal of that yellow stuff called gold since I have been in this part of the world and I think I had rather dig for gold in the states nearly every day we hear of some party of miners being jumped as they term it last week there was four out of aparty of five that were out prospecting killed the other had ahard run for life there are agreat many instances of this kind where there is none left to tell the tale I bought one bushel of potatoes the other day they cost me 11 eleven dollars and fifteen pounds of onions which cost me 5 five dollars you may think that you would let the vegetables go and save your money but you would rather let the money slip than get the scurvy well I guess that is about all you will want to study out for once I Best respects to all inquiring friends good by Jerome Booth