I am glad to say I rec'd two letters from home and one from John Stinchfield yesterday. Every thing is right with him and I can complete his business this week. I wish to report for duty Monday if they dont hurry me off before and I dont think they will. I expect we shall get paid off today, we signed the payrolls two days ago. I dont think that my transportation will be taken from this payment and whether my allotment will I dont know. I was glad to learn that the ground thawed out so my trees could be set. It was so mild here that I thought it must be the ground was open there. We have had some

delightful weather since I cam back here. I have enjoyed myself well considering the circumstances.
     Last eve. I attended a Methodist prayer meeting and hardly knew whether I was enjoying it or otherwise.
     I could not help feeling amused while there. I fear satan had some thing to do with me. Nearly all the congregation pretended to kneel but they kind of squat down and I could not help thinking they resembled toads. They were looking about over the house, some laughing, some whispering and a few apparently paying good attention to the prayer. It is not for us to judge and I am glad I am not to be a judge of my fellow men. There were very good remarks made. Several outlandish men talked -- some that sounded funny but they were so earnest and hearty

that I enjoyed hearing them. One, a Swede, talked especially well.
     Delinda [i.e., Delinda Jackson] told me that Henry Newhouse was excited about the settlement of the Maxwell extate. I do hope you will have that settled as soon as possible. I heartily wish you were out of that for I dont believe a fussier set ever lived than the heirs of that estate. Sorry you and Alonzo [i.e., Alonzo Jackson] should get disfigured at home. I fear people will think you dont agree very well. If I do get my face scarred it will appear as if it was all proper.
     In one of my letters yesterday I rec'd two of my pictures. I think they are quite natural but rather better looking than the original. Have you found an owner for Jim Tarbox's watch yet? I fear they thought I intended to steal it. I feel rather pleased with the prospect of getting back

to the Regt. soon. It is no boys play to face the Johnnies' breastworks and cannon but I feel able to go now and I do hate to see a man shirk his duty. If duty leads through death I want to see a man come boldly to the brink, and if he is right before his Maker he has nothing to fear.
     Let a man trust in God fully and there is no danger to him. Earth has its attractions of course, but glory, as it opens to view on the verge of the dark river, I believe has vastly more. I think I know something about how a man feels when the things of earth look uncertain to him still I have always rather expected to escape and God has preserved me and I hope He will preserve and sustain me until this bloody and unnatural war is over and I can again join the family circle with the glad sound of Peace echoing through the whole extent of our country. Write soon

Your aff. son
John