From Wolf Creek, WVa; Conditions with the militia & lack of furloughs; price of coffee; people leaving homes

Camp at the North of Wolf Creek
April 1st 1861
Dear Father and Mother
I have written time and again to you but never here a word from any of you I don't no what to think about it You certainly got some of my letter and I think out of so many I ought to get one occasionaly if it but a few lines to let me know how you all are I would be satisfied I have been looking for Joe & Wythe (brother) over for some time but they haven't come yet and I suppose Wythe will stay and be drafted with the militia I reckon it is as good way as any The way thing are manage I would as soon risk my chances with them I think we have some of the bigist fool at the head of war affairs that I ever herd off any were I think our Legislature have pass some of the strangest law in regard to our military affairs ever was herd off if we ever loose our independence it will be attributed to nothing else but bad management I wunder that militia of this County and Pulaski will be unified to filled up the companies of Militia it will cause a good blew of dissatisfaction among them I learn today that militia of Smyth have been order into court at Wytheville & suppose they will order here or to Poundton (Princeton?) how does Wythe like it The militia are not allow

Coffee so I suppose it will go very hard with him to do without. I will send you some by the first chance I can get it cheaper then you can buy any were else if you knows any one coming over here send by here and I will send it to you. It is an awful time over here the citisen of Mercer and Monroe are moving daily by our camp in great drove moving any thing they can away to keep the Yankees from getting their property Old men & women are leaving there homes an going in the west of the R. Road and were (Where) ever they can get There is a good deal of dissatisfaction in the Regiment about reenlisting. There is not 20 men in this Reg but what will reenlist if they can get furlough of 20 to 30 days which I think they ought to have by all means and now is the time to give them as there is no danger here for some months if then There are a great many men that have families that wont (want) to go home to provide for them west/wert? and this is a time that they ought to be there, it is nothing but right that they should this it is not cowauier (coward) or any thing of that kind, but from this fact men else were {where} have gotten furloughs for 40 and 60 days and these men have only asked for 30 which I (think) they ought to have

have them I have no idea when I will be at home I see an order in R. Dispath (Regiment Dispatch) prohibiting any more furloughs to be given to any of the men If I cant come home the 29th of May it will be several months before I can come. There are two thirds of my company that will not reenlist unless they can get a furlough It is no use to talk them for they are determined on it The cavalry from the N. W. have been order to Tennessee I expect to draw my money in a few days and shall not need it and will send it home and use it if you want Jackson might come over and see me come in the buggy bring me some butter. I want you to write and give me all the news of the neighborhood Wythe Joe I suppose will be here in a few days No news in camp.
Your Son
Robt H Gleaves