Six letters written by Henry Rice to his family during the Civil War, 1862, and one envelope with a patriotic vignette addressed to Amory Rice, Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois.

Henry Rice wrote to his family during the month when he stayed at Camp Peoria, waiting to go into active service. During that time, he discusses religion at camp, illness, deserters, uniforms, food, guard duty, and equipment, or lack thereof. He seems proud of his fellow soldiers and impatient to fight, or at least, get paid.