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  Friend Walt

Perhaps you have forgotten a wild farmer's scarecrow [illegible] man who used to linger around Thayer & Eldridges Publishing office Boston in the spring of 1860 But he still remembers you and has been waiting very patiently for a volume of Leaves of Grass which was to be sent to Lawrence Kansas Perhaps you think I am writing rather familiar for almost a stranger and writing to a distinguished Poet but I think I have made a sufficient appology​ apology​ when I tell you I have been in  the Rocky Mountains for almost two years where every man is an old acquaintance if you never saw him before

When I left Boston I came to Kansas and from there out here among Grizzly bears, Indians Yankees and almost every species of man and beast that inhabit the globe. I have lived on venison and I have lived on bread I have gone hungry for many a day and have had plenty to eat for many more, and for all the hardships I have seen it suits me, I like it  I enjoy myself hugely, and I think you would do the same

I now hold the position of 1st Lieut of Co K 1st Reg Col​ Vols and suppose I shall be a soldier for the next few years

 

I have often heard Leaves of Grass highly spoken of away out here but have never seen a volume until a few days ago and the man who has that will not dispose of that for any price he brought it out with him to this country.

I am in an old log shanty to night away up in the mountains about forty miles from the valley the wind blows a perfect hurracane and it is cold as Greenland I am writing by the light of a pitch pine fire, it is past twelve oclock and I must go to bed as I must start for the valley in the morning. I dont​ don't​ want you to forget to answer this. Good night

Yours &c Silas S. Soule  

P.S. Please direct Lieut S. S. Soule Camp Weld Denver Col [illegible]