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Edward's Ferry Md. Apr. 5^th/'63.

                       

Dear Brother:

          Since writing to you last, we have mooved [  ] fairly settled again. We have [  ] camp ground now, and are [  ] up in shape; such as [  ] the streets and clearing up a parade ground.

 

            There is some talk of mooving [  ] soon, but it may be nothing [  ] a rumor. Cos. B. and G. [  ] yesterday from down river [  ] have been since we left [  ]ver.

 

[  ] Reg't is all here now [  ] Co. I. which will not be able to rejoin us very soon on account of small pox which has been in it for some time. They are / geting along well now. Soon after writing to you about that ground itch in Co. D. it turned out to be the small pox. That and one more case are all that have had [  ] Battalion; and they were [  ] time ago. so I think [  ] possible danger of more [  ].

 

            Co. I. is sta[  ] river, about sixteen miles [  ].

 

            I have been inoculated, and [  ] took well. My arm is nearly [  ] now, and I have not the least suffering from small [  ]

 

            That is exactly [  ] how it is now and how [  ] will be in the future.

 

            I have purposely [  ] writing about it for there [  ] great danger, and I knew [  ] uneasy about me. After [  ] my dinner of beef, potatoes and / hard bread, I resume writing.

 

            Your letter written March 28^th & 29^th reached me last night the three papers and stick of candy have all [  ]ed; the latter did not keep long [  ] it came to light. The fact is, [  ] pretty badly demoralized [  ]aught the proper course would [  ] miss it from duty at once, [  ] I did at once. In short, it went [  ] at bourne from which no hard bread returns. I am glad you have [  ] a sgacious pup, and hope you [  ] him well trained by the time [  ] which will not be untill [  ] June I think. [  ]ld kill pup. if I was in [  ]. Ain't you affraid you [  ] d—d poor if you keep two [  ] Oscar and Han! Tucker, [  ], Marion and myself have decided to have a box come out / The express will be about three cts. per pound. I want about six lbs of butter and about ten lbs of [  ] Not more than that. Put [  ] a small light box, with [  ] uppon it. carry it over to Mr [  ] and have it packed in [  ] with the others. He will [  ] have some plan for packing and [  ] it to the depot. Oscar has [  ] him to day if he should not l[  ] you can agree uppon some for [  ] sending. Dont put [  ] enough to [ink blot] that and [  ] the box weigh over 33 [  ]

 

            We want, if poss[  ] it start by the first of next [  ] If it is not convenient do [  ] so much. You see the express [  ] be over one dollar on 33 lbs.

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