p.

Camp Griffin Nov 17" 1861
Friend Elisa
To night your able and
thoughtfull written letter came at hand since
I wrote you varius changes in the climate also in
our laborious and Military life we are as we
may say holding the key to the Military Chess-
board of the Potomac and inconsequence of
holden post pertaining to Reward - and
honor it keeps us in constant society Oh how
diferent the life the fare of a soldier to the
free and happy men who saunter gaily The
streets and public places of a peacble town
or villia up the thoroughfares of city the [?]
or slave pen of the South canott compare with
the fast fadin life of a vollunter you may think
that I am discouraged I may say in one sence
I am but of the only would use and once think
of the poor soldier who is daily being himself