Dear Old Dad & Mother,

      I received your letter & cards yesterday sure tickled to death & I had read & reread it. Your letters are so much better than the rest that I hate to have the letter close, but of course I then look forward till the next letter comes.

      Well folks this letter leaves me feeling fine & dandy & I hope it finds you all the same. I often wish you folks were here to take in the sites the sure have some awful pretty resident hows. I suppose one person is feeling up in years about now, but mother you are always the same to me no matter how old. You folks are always on my mind, but I don't get homesick as this is no time for that. The kids here are all over & I am holding myself up with the rest.

      And when I come home there be a change in my way. A fellow in the army can be in any class he wants to but I'll pick my ?? and they have to be alright or I'll take it alone. Because I said I live straight & I sure am.

      I was down town last nite took in a lot of good shows and I think I'll walk down to the beach this afternoon.

      Who is preacher for the lower church? I suppose the people are more religious now than before. I have been to church since I left but I think I'll look up Dr. Caldwell but this is such a large place it will be hard to find him.

      Oh yes, they issued us more clothes yesterday. 1 coat, 2 pair of pants, 1 over all, 1 leggings, 2 pairs gloves, 6 pairs of wool socks, 1 shirt. So you see we are pretty well fixed for clothes, and plenty of eats, such as they are. Oh yes, 2 hats made of over all stuff.

      Tell Ernie that I'll bring back plenty of clothes for both, and the clothes we get sure are real ones, too.

      I sure am looking forward to that cake. Believe me it won't last long when I get ahold of it, as we don't get cake here.

      I suppose there isn't very many people left in Coleridge to have the small pox. Believe me I'll never have the small pox as my vaccination sure took. They had 2 cases of Scarlet Fever at Fort Scott, but they were quarantined & the camp is clean now and the quarantine is lifted.

      They inspect every one that comes in here. I was to the hospital three, once for a dose of salts (Bah bah) and 2 for to have my arm dressed. So you see I am pretty lucky. The hospital is only about 100 ft from our tent. They sure keep it slick. Have mats to walk on & don't dare to walk on polished floors.