Little Rock, Ark. Feb. 5th, 1865 Dear Father: Through the goodness of our heavenly father I am alive and well and back to our quarters in Little Rock. I wrote to you while we were in Pine Bluff that we had started on an expedition. I hardly know as you will get the letter before this. I should have written to you before we started from here had I known we were going in time. No one knew anything of the move until the night before we started unless it was the General. Col.Mackey commanded our brigade and General Carre the forces or expedition. We went to Mt. Elby (Elba) on the Seline (Saline) River. The infantry stopped there while the cavalry scouted two days. We then turned about. This we did not expect for we had thought that we were going on further to Camden or Shreveport, but as near as I can find we did not intend to go further. All the move was for us to draw forces from some point where our forces were making a move. We had a wet cold time of it. The first night out it snowed about three inches and it was very cold. On our way back it rained a good deal, so much that we had to lay over one day on account of the rain. Six mules could not draw an empty wagon the rain was so bad. You may think the Whitewater marsh road bad but it was a plank road beside the roads here when they are wet. It seems that there is no bottom to them at all. The cavalry had a small skirmish at Mt. Elby with the rebs. They lost one man. Mt. Elba is the place where we had the fight last spring. I guess you remember it. We have orders to go to New Orleans as soon as we can get ready, Our officers think we will start next Friday. Some think we will go there and then to Mobile, others to Shreveport. It makes but little difference to me where we go. I wish to go where we can do the most good for our country. The report is here now that peace is declared. I trust it is so, if it is not, God speed the time. The butter I sent for you need not send me. I might lose it. If you should it is hard to tell where we may be. Serent Hibbard has returned from Ft. Smith. He is looking well. He came near being gobbled. The two boats ahead of the one he was one were taken. All on one were captured. Good many of the others on the other boat escaped. The boys from the Prairie are well and in good spirits. Our company are very healthy now, only one sick. Dr. Smith says we have the healthiest company in the Regt. I expected to fins a letter when I returned from you but there was none. Please write often. Mahlon sends his respects to all. Remember me to all at home, to Mother and the children. Kiss them all for your son Lewis E. Bloodgood Direct Co. E 29th Regt. Wis. Vol. Via Cairo.