Letter from Colonel Lyon to Isaac Lyon.
March 25,1863.—We live in a house now and have a large room with a fireplace. We have partitioned off a bedroom in one corner, and are building a kitchen near by for our colored folks. We live mostly on the usual rations, with eggs and butter added. We pay twenty cents for eggs. Have bought no butter yet. We live in constant expectation of a paymaster. The Government owes me now over $1,000. I only expect to get about $450 at the next payment.
At present we are not menaced with an attack here, and we have the means with which to make a stout defense should we be attacked; but a movement of the rebels against the right flank of General Rosecrans’ army would be very apt to strike us. If, as is now reported, the rebels are evacuating Vicksburg and reinforcing Bragg, we shall have stirring times in this vicinity before spring is gone.
I suppose you have heard the report that Fort Donelson was taken and the 13th had gone the way of the 22d. The story was made out of whole cloth by some lying telegraph operator.
