Feb 19th

It has been very warm today with a high South West wind. Nothing in particular going on. This afternoon, the Col and I went off about a mile from the Fort and signaled to Denny + Capt Winder who were near the Fort we are going to be great experts in the art. In the evening after dinner Cribbage Casino and [?] [?] course of the evening mimic of a dinner speeches were made, presentations, everything in the room was presented to everyone, + each had to make a reply. It caused some amusement. Our mail did not come after all. I expect that Monday will be the day. I heard to night that a Mail leaves Fort Kipp for Benton tomorrow so I am going to try and send this off. How glad you will be to see it will not you and how glad I will be to hear again from you. I am very tired now of waiting and as the time grows shorter become more and more impatient. I do not think that well [sic] on the march I felt that longing that I now feel to hear from you. Or at all events it is much greater now. Did you receive those sketches I sent to you. I have not taken a great many more, they are hard things to send away. But now it is getting late, and as I want to get up early tomorrow morning and finish this I must say Good night.