I take my pen to inform you that I am well and hope that this will find you well also. At the time that the company left Batesville for this place, I was left behind to assist in taking care of Mr. Paine who formerly lived in Highland. He died the next morning after the boys left, and Friday the 21st I started on foot to join them with my knapsack on my back. When about 17 miles form Salem, I met the teams returning.
One of them was going back to Jacksonport after rations for us so I put my knapsack in his wagon and pushed on the rest of the way with more ease. I arrived Sabbath morning about 10 o'clock A.M. I think I could have come through in two days if I had not taken my knapsack. I do not think this is a very dangerous country when one can travel fifty miles alone, without as much as a jack knife to defend himself. Salem as a village belongs to history, every building being destroyed, and nothing but the ruins left to mark the spot where probably formerly a pretty village was seen.
We are encamped a short distance from the ruins in a log building, that was probably built, one part for stable and one part for corn crib. I understand that it is three miles to our nearest neighbors. The water is good, and as it is a rough hilly country I reckon that it is a healthy one. There is a very high hill within sight of our quarters, and I intend if all's well to take a trip up on it sometime and view the scenery. You must not feel anxious, Dear Sula, if you do not hear often, for if we are kept on the frontier of civilization the facilities for sending letters are not very good. Co. G is the only company here. Our Chaplain (Willford) is with us. Now Sula, as I have not had the ague for so long, and my health is good, I hope that you will not worry about me.
The duty here is very light. We only have guards at nigh, and then but three guards and one post. We amuse ourselves roaming around &c. I am looking for a letter from you when the team comes back form Jacksonport. How I would like to step in and chat with you, and romp with the boy, who by the way must be getting to be quite a chap by this time. But as it is, we will try and be cheerful, and hope ere long we may be permitted to meet and enjoy together the peaceful pursuits of civil life. Please remember me to the folks, and write when convenient to your affectionate husband
Levi Emery
Mrs. U.W. Emery.
