I wrote yesterday but somehow I feel inclined to write again today. I am feeling pretty well today. It is a very fine morning. I wish you could see this place. It looks queer to see a large village so regularly laid out in streets with side walks, and any quantity of shades and such like and all the buildings of cloth. It is quite a sight. at least it is to me. I should like to go down to the Point but I dont know whether I shall be able to. I shall if I am not sent North before I get so as to walk so far. It is a mile or so. there is very heavy cannonading up the river today I expect the gunboats are at work by the sound. Butler [i.e., Major General Benjamin Butler] is up there. I reckon things are getting along well. It is rumored that

our Corps had a fight yesterday and whipped the "Johnnies" pretty bad. I dont know anything of the particulars but if true you will get the details before this gets to Lewiston. I am told that there is a prospect of moving the Hospital to Fortress Monroe but there are so many rumors that I dont dare to believe any until I see the truth of the case with my own eyes. Three days ago there were a lot of tents of the 9th Corps Hospital moved over here a mile or so and pitched intended to be for winter quarters yesterday they were all brought back so the big ones dont seem to know always what is to be done. I am growing impatient, fretful and almost out of temper to see the fraud practiced so continually on the soldiers, they all seem to think if a man is a soldier he has agreed to endure all the insults and injuries that can be heaped upon him. The officer that dont drink to excess is an exception that is so far as I have had a chance to judge. I have had a chance to clear a

couple of hundred dollars by what most every one would call perfectly honorable means but I dont like to commence for I dont know the end of such a course. I dont want my pockets cursed with money that dont come by a just measure. I dont call taking advantage of a man's necessity just the thing. I believe God will prosper me sufficiently if I use only such means as will never injure my conscience however tender I try to keep it. I am waiting impatiently for my mail to come down from the Regt. I expect I should learn many things that I wish to know. I think I will send a leaf or two of my diary today I intended to send a leaf yesterday but forgot it. I intend also to send a plan of a supporter that is very pleasant and easy. I am learning. I told you so yesterday. The old spiteful that is in here most has just passed. I am glad that she is not a fair specimen of womankind.