Dear Mother,

I think it is about time that I should write again.  I am well and I hope you are the same.   We have got paid off and am going to send part of it home quick as I can by express.  The office is out in the city.  I have been waiting to write till I could get out in the street and send it with the money but I thought I would not wait.  I shall get my portrait taken if I can.

I don’t know whether we shall stay her this winter of not.  There are great preparations being made for the expedition.  Ellsworth’s Avengers are here.  1200 cavalry from Pennsylvania are here  and the 23-25-27th Mass; 8-10 Conn, 51st New York.  General Burnside is to take command of the expedition.  Last Sunday, the Secretary of War, General Burnside and Governor Andrews of Massachusetts,  Governor Hicks of Maryland and many other officers reviewed our regiment and the rest that are here.  It is not decided whether  we shall go  with the expedition or not.  I hope we shall, although we have got  one of the best places you could find.

We have a very good time here.  It is a pleasant place.  We are cooped up here.  We can’t get out  only once in a great while.  I have not been out  only with the regiment.  Most of them, when they get out, get drunk and that stops the rest.  It is easy enough to run the guard but there is a patrol guard in the city that will nab you if you  have not a pass.

It seems like the other expedition is getting a pretty  good foothold in South Carolina and the rebels are laying down their arms in Eastern Virginia.  It is reported the rebels have hung out a black flag.  They ask no quarter and will give none.  They will not have a chance too much longer, I don’t think, when the news comes of the taking of the forts in South Carolina.

The Colonel made  a speech and the band played several tunes.  He said that if he is ordered to go he would.  He has been appointed commander of this post till Spring.  he has three hundred  dollars extra besides his regular pay.  He refused to go on the last expedition.  The Lt. Col. is Italian.  He is very well disciplined and a brave officer.  He said,  “Never mind boys, you shall go next time.”  It is reported the 18th Mass. is to take our place.  We can’t tell till the time comes.

The smallpox has gotten into our regiment.  There has none died with it yet.  The whole regiment has been vaccinated from the Colonel on down.  It is Thanksgiving today.  We haint got a many roast turkeys nor mince pies.  We had soup made of rice and beef bones and dish water.  We have good bread.  We have hard bread on Sundays.

If you send  a box to me, send it by express.  It will cost about a dollar and a half.  Write as soon as you get this.  I shall send you money as quick as I can.  Use what you like.  Direct your letters in care of Captain B. F. Rogers, Co. F, 21st M.V.M.  I send my love to you and all the rest.  Write all the news.  Goodbye for this time.

From your son,