p.

The army is not badly used up or dispirritful. We had
a weeks hard fighting, but the rebels are welcome
to all they gained. We had to destroy many stores
and what is worst of all, our sick and wounded
fell into their hands. The 5th Vermont suffered
most. They have but about three hundred left.
The other regiments lost some. Our company has
not had a man hit thus far in any action.

We have had some men die since you have heard
from us. [Bent?] and one of the Recruits from our [le-.?]
The Standard Bearer is dead also. Persons has been
discharged and Newton has been appointed Sergt.
The boys are quite well. The Capt & Lieuts. bully.
Lt. Harvey was a frightened man the day the teams
were fired into. He was acting [2sMm?] and was with the
train. He says a shell came near enough to make his
horse crouch and the wind of it blew his hat off.
He is reported to have left in a hurry. What he will
do when he goes into battle is a question. Lieut Tracy
is reported to have been the coolest man in the 4th.
They will soon cease to make sport of him.

I have received letters from Home, Mary and, and
Sister Delia since I last wrote you. Father was
unwell when he wrote. He has overworked and needs
rest. I wish he was in a situation so he could
[page break]
live more easily. He has too large a farm and
don't feel able to hire, and so digs away him-
self like an old slave. I hope I shall be able to
help him sometimes, but my own debts are not paid
yet and they wear away slowly at $24 per month
with considerable outgoes. I fail of extra pay here.

Now William I am going to give you a little advice
I see no chance for you to go home on recruiting
service. Capt Foster has done nothing but speak to
the Colonel about it and there the matter rests.
If you recover and come back you can never do duty
in the company. If you come back again I do not
think Capt. Wetherell would employ you, for he
has laid much blame to your charge in regard
to the [1st 2n's] Papers and told me one day he
would have given three hundred dollars if I had
never introduced you to him. These and other things
lead me to believe he will not have you again
in his office. Of course I know the injustice of all this
and well know with your manifold duties, you did
all in your power. You are sick in Washington and
don't seem to gain much, slowly at best, with fre-
quent relapses I fear. If after you partially re-
cover you come this much farther south, you
will surely be sick again, and then there will be