Omaha July 12th 1863

     F H Gerrard
       Monroe Platte County
           Neb. Ter’y.

Dear Brother

I believe that I owe you a letter in answer to one you wrote me some time ago and it is a good plan to pay debts immediately on acquireing the means so I guefs I will pay you of. as I have got one hour and thirty five minuets in which to do it and then it will be one O clock tommorow. I believe I put one to many Ms in that word so have scratched one out I want to know what you think of Clara do you think she can run pretty fast wasnot you surprised to see Lan come home with so much cattle & so many Horse hope I shall get to come home before Long but dont know yet. Did Lan sell all that corn __ these mule Drivers say their mules do not Like Pawnee corn wont eat more than six Ears at a feed Frank Norths team run away with his Light wagon & broke the tongue & Rack & the bed some Gus Beecher says but I did not see it I think Frank has got a pretty good team but one horse has got a spavin besides a big wind gall on one Leg I reckon your wheat must be Ripe now and if there is not much of it I think it would pay to get it threshed immediately or else stack it near to some other persons stack I suppose the Pawnees will start on their Hunt tomorow from what I have heard a man asked me yesterday if I had heard any news from those 15 000 Sious with seven pieces of artillery some of the Boys asked the other day how the sious could get their commisary trains along through the rough country without Roads -- I told them that there was probably no dificulty as they were used to it and I thought 15 000 Sious would have a verry long train Especially if it should happen to be composed mostly of Dog teams one to a machine composed of two poles -- but there may be some Danger though I suppose you can hear more truth about the matter than we can but we can beat you all to pieces in hearing Lies Cap Edwards said that they were practiceing with the cannon one Evening & the settlers thought it was fighting & were going to run away and he said Co B was camped down at the point & they thought it was a Battle and saddled up & went up full splitt & got there at about Eleven O clock at night how much of it is true. We Expect the Pay Master Back this week I am verry anxious to have him come as I am dead Broke already Saw a fellow from Bellevue yesterday he said several Young Ladies sent their respects & wanted me to come down and he wanted to know when I was coming I told him before long & he says I tell you they want to see you real Bad. But I guefs they will get along and I cant go anywheres untill after the Pay Master comes around I think the fellow felt pretty good which made him think the Ladies were so anxious to see me two of Bickleys Boys are in town they know me first Rate __ when do you talk of commencing to cut Hay Should think it most time I reckon it will take a day or two to haul in what we will have to have How does Coons corn Look and the Bal of the crops tell Addy I will write to her soon if I do not come home & if I do we can talk it out.

Your affectionate Brother
    Edward A Gerrard

     ten minuets after twelve July 12th 63

Contributed by Marilyn Gerrard-Hartman