I will now commence another letter to you. I wish you would write me oftener but I shall write you whether you write to me or not. I am well & at camp today but I expect to go on picket tomorrow morn. to stop three days
     I have sent fifteen dollars by the chaplain to be delivered at "Lewiston Falls Bank" in your name so you can draw it by the time this reaches you probably. It is a small sum but will aid somewhat in paying for the many things that I have written for you & Alonzo [i.e., Alonzo Jackson] to purchase for me. We received only twenty two dollars & ten cts. which pays us until the first of Nov. I do not expect that we shall be paid off again until

our time is out & certainly I hope we shall not. I mentioned sending the money, when I wrote to Delinda [i.e., Delinda Jackson], but I was fearful that one of the letters might miscarry & you would know nothing about it. Since we were paid off some of the boys have been about half drunk nearly all the time. you may not fear my being led into the path of intemperance by being more in connection with those that do drink. the more I see of it the worse I hate it & I am confident that any Heavenly Father will not allow me to go so far astray as to take ardent spirits. I have many times been urged to drink whiskey but I told them that when those that did drink could endure a march better or perform more labor than I could I would think about it. I am one of the very few that have not been excused since we went into camp

     I have very great reason for gratitude that my health has been so wonderfully preserved. I cannot expect always to be well, but I am glad to be well so long. I see no reason why my health may not continue good if I am careful for by this time we must be nearly acclimated & there is not nearly so much sickness among the men as there has been.
     Our officers say we shall soon move to Poolesville that is said to be beautiful little village, I have not seen it yet.
     There is nothing here of interest.
     We have to be pretty busy most of the time either on guard or drilling there is not so much danger of hurting men with work as there is by letting them lay about their tents all the time.
     We have had no mail since last Tuesday, it seems real lonesome

not get any letters or papers. The last letter I got from home was dated Dec 28th. I'd like to take a peep at you at home & see what is going on. It will only be a little while before I shall. we have commenced our fifth month & the time seems to pass away rapidly. I cannot realize that it is winter. we have no snow & weather is mild like our Oct. I am thinking of the pleasant time that I will have when I get home. It will be so pleasant a season of the year. the trees all clothed with their robes of green & many of them in blossom, the fields will have reached their full beauty & all nature will appear lovely I think my interest in home matters increases & I take great interest in any thing agricultural. be sure to look out for your Agricultural Reports & keep them for me if you do not want them. Write me often please.

Your aff. son
John