The following letter was written by 21 year-old Alexander Black who enlisted in Co. E, 21st Missouri Infantry. The regiment, once filled with 10 companies totaling 962 men, was mustered into the Union army at Canton on February 12, 1862. A little over a month later, on March 27, 1862, Alexander died of typhoid fever at Hannibal, Missouri.

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Canton, Missouri
February 16, 1862

My dear friends,

It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I believe the boys is all well so far as I know. Tomorrow we will march for Hannibal. I believe there are seven companies for the orders to be in readiness to march at a minute’s warning. What the intention of the trip is is more than I can say. I think from what I can find out, we will be stationed at Hannibal.

I will write again as soon as I can find out what we are a going to do. The boys all appear in fine spirits at the idea of the trip. For my part, I would just as soon go to the south part of the state where they is something to be done as to stay here at Canton and do nothing as we have been doing for some time.

I have nothing more worth writing at present. I will write again as soon as we stop.

Since I wrote, the orders has been countermanded and we will not start till Wednesday. Tell Eliza I got the breast pin mended but I have not had a chance to send it up yet. I do not know whether it would be safe to send it in a letter or not. Tell her if she is willing to risk it, to write and I will send it. When you write, direct your letter to Alexander Black, Company E, 21st Regiment Missouri Volunteers, in care of Capt. G[eorge] W. Fulton