Soldier's Letter, 2 pages, 4to., "Head-Quarters of the Forces in Garrison, District of Minnesota, Department of the North-West, Saint Paul, Minn." imprint, Sept. 4,1863. Cyrene H. Blakely (Co. K, 3rd Minnesota Infantry) writes:

"...I start at five o'clock tomorrow morning to join the Indian Expedition with dispatches for General Sibley, too important to trust to the mails. At last account the expedition was a few miles this side  of Abercrombie, moving slowly towards "civilization", and are, probably, by this time, near St. Cloud. At the outside, I shall reach them on Sunday, travelling beyond St. Cloud with a private train. I shall reach here again by Tuesday night unless Gen. Sibley directs differently. No doubt he will desire me to return immediately with answers to the dispatches...

My private business has nearly all been settled with the government since I came here, a job that I have disliked for a year to take hold of...

Darling, let me hear from you as often as conveniently. The perusal of your welcome missives affords hours and hours of happiness to your beloved Cyrene...

Be a good girl always, love me with your whole heart, and believe me.

Ever yours, only

Cyrene.

I shall love you every moment while absent, as well as when I return."

Very Fine. Comes with the original "Official Business" and matching imprint cover, postmarked Saint Paul, Minn. Sept., 5, 1863.