I will commence another family letter but do not intend to finish it today. I am as well as I have been and I guess improving somewhat. Today there has been the greatest rejoicing I have ever heard in the Army. There was a salute fired this morn. in honor of Sheridan's great victory [i.e., the battles of Opequon Creek and Fisher's Hill, 19-22 September 1864]. I have never heard cannonading that equalled it. for some time one could not distinguish the reports. It was one continuous roar. We did not know until noon what it was but supposed the "johnnies" were making an attack and were hoping all the success possible to our boys. Most all are in pretty good spirits now.

My paper is damp and so I have been writing too coarse to suit me for a home letter. I wrote about sending my watch but that fellow didn't go right to Lewiston I concluded to wait and send it by him. I cannot tell exactly when he will go. I shall write so that you will know where and when to get it. I have just rec'd a call from one of the boys of our Co. he has a sore foot and is going to Washington soon. I should have liked to have gone there when I first came down here but it dont seem worth while now. I dislike our nurses and as nearly hate the Dr. of this ward as I do any human being. Were it not for the "Air Castles" that you know I like so well to build I should be miserably situated but I paint a bright future if I live. And trust God for a glorious future when done with life. I really wish I was an artist I should so enjoy sketching some scenes I witness. I have time to think much and I trust that if I am preserved I shall show that I have made some advancement in the science of farming for I intend to devote my energies principally to that branch of

industry. I cannot believe that if I leave the army in good health that I am ruined for the pursuit of peaceful callings. I have rather lofty desires in some respects, of course, I cannot realize them for a long time but shall be happy to get where I can have a home of my own. I get tired of the dullness of life here but I doubt not I should be very uneasy if I was out of the army until the war is over. I dont expect to have another brush with the rebs after this fall so if I dont get able to go on duty before this campaign is over I shall not expect to meet them again in any very large force. I hope, however, to be fully able to do my part soon not that I love fighting or feel that I have not seen my share. I prefer the chances of the bullets to the chances of disease. I lay and think over how you all look and what you are probably doing and how each thing about there looks and how such and such a thing might be improved in looks and value and all that kind of thing. Such things serve to take up my time and I hope it is not wholly unprofitable. I have good times thinking of the good things you have to eat. And I look forward with pleasure to the time that I shall be with you and take my share

of the good things to eat. I dont know why but I seem to think more of the eating part than ever before. I have not heard from home since I wrote before but I have rec'd one from Nathan. I have no stamps so I cannot write only to those that I can send "Soldier's letters" to. I believe I shall write more before long.

     Sept. 25th