I feel very undecided about what course to pursue after I am released from this bondage I am old enough to decide on some business for a livelihood I suppose but I cannot seem to satisfy myself what I had better engage in.
     (I have just been out at the call for drill but there were so many boys off that the Leut. would not take us out. They said when we left Portland that the boys could not play off any longer but there are some that have kept clear of duty very regularly indeed.)
     I have been intending to go to California, you remember, & until recently I have thought I should go soon after my return from the army but now I fancy that it would be as well for me to wait until I am older & know more of the world. I assure you this is the place to for one to learn to depend upon himself

& to look out for himself if there is any such thing. I might be preparing for my future business while here if I could decide what to do. I wish you would advise me. you know my circumstances and will be able to aid me in a decision perhaps. I want to know how every thing is prospering about home & how fast my account is running behind & every thing else.

eve.
I am sitting before my fire in my tent. The sent & fire seem quite cozy but I am alone. Mace [i.e., Corporal William H. Mace, Co. D., 32nd Maine Infantry] & Barker [i.e., Captain William B. Barker, Co. D, 32nd Maine Infantry] are on picket & Wright [i.e., Private Frank Wright, Co. D., 32nd Maine Infantry] is on camp guard. I should be most happy to have you step in & spend the remainder of the eve. with me but it is rather far to go to make an evening call
     I left a space here hoping that our mail was coming tonight but I have given up hoping for that. Tell Delora [i.e., Delora Jackson] that her Mace alias Hooker & I are still firm friends. I spend many pleasant seasons with him. we are frequently on guard together There many that I like first rate. some I do not, however.

Yours &c
John

My love to all of you & a great quantity to each one it is almost exhaustless

I want the whole family to write one often while I am here. I do not feel as I expected soldiers did at all.