Dear Parents,

I received your letter Monday.  I was glad to hear from home.  I am as well as usual.  I am at the same place as when I wrote before.  I am sorry to hear that you were unwell.  The place where we are is unhealthy.  The days are very warm.  The nights are damp and chilly, but I have not been sick yet.

Our 1st Lieutenant was shot Monday night.  he disguised himself and tried to run the beat of the sentinel.  He halted him four times.  He would not stop.   He fired and hit him in the bowels.  He died in about an hour.  We will be sent to Worcester today.  We have orders to halt a person three times and fire if they do not stop.

We do not know how long we shall stay where we are.  One day there will be a story that we are going to the Potomac; another that we shall stay where we are all winter.   We cannot tell a day beforehand where we shall stay.  We like where we are very well.

We have not been paid yet.  We don’t know when we shall.  We were to get paid every month.  I will send part of mine home when I get it.  I will get my likeness taken when I  get a chance.  I wish you would send me a few letter stamps.  I am out of money and there is scarcely a dollar in the regiment.  I can borrow some paper and envelopes.  I do not get anything to read; only a few papers the boys have sent from home.  I should like something to read first rate.

You need not worry that I shall get into bad habits.  The worst thing I have done is to take tolls from the farmers for guarding their premises nights.  We have plenty to eat and better than expected.  We expect to have United States uniforms in a few days and some new rifles.

Baltimore and Annapolis are very dirty  places, except the Navy Yard.  The Navy Yard contains the U. S. Hospitals and a fort, gas house and Navy school.  It is surrounded on three sides by water.  It is walled in from the city by a high brick wall.  We could bathe in the salt water when we pleased.  The regiment went out into the city once.  Direct your letters as before.

Ada, I thank you very much for writing.  I hope Sam Bates gets over feeling bad.  You must be a good girl and help mother.  Write again when mother does.

Electa, I am very sorry you have been worse.  I hope when you get this you will be much better.  I hope we shall both  live to meet again.  You spoke of Mr. Draper persuading me to enlist.  I did not know he had enlisted until I got to Worcester.  I went on my own accord.

I have not anymore room to write.  Write soon.  Give my love to all the children.  Be good boys and girls.  This from your loving son and brother.

Goodbye to all till another time,