Orin Baker,
		Dear friend, I acknowledge with
much satisfaction the reception of two letters
and two papers from your hand. I am truly
greatful for the intelligence, you send me
from my folks in Mich. _ I was pleased to
learn that you had an opportunity to make
a trip home _ At present we are well _
    From time to time I have had some very
serious reflections on the precarious situation
in which, I am placed. I have had but little
peace, or rest of mind, since the battl at
Springfield in 'Aug. An awful panic
has set afloat, among the union people,
some of the most astounding conjectures
with regard to the ultimate intentions
					       [ed
of their enemy. False reports, and unfound^
alarms, together with ingenious lies, have
brought upon us the reign of terror Had
I remained quiet, as I ought to have done
in a private capacity, attending to my own
affairs not heeding the visionary tales of
the illiterate and timid ones, it would have
Saved
^ me much trouble _ The proper way to
				service
render our country efficient good ^ is to
join the army as your have done Home
guards will not do

There are scouts of from three to five men
searching some parts of the country, for guns,
horses, wagons, clothing etc. Eli Berks had a call
from one of them: they got a gun. Harvey Robb
made his escape with stallion. As yet I have had
no calls from them  There are a great many
rumors afloat but there is so little truth in them
that it will not pay to write them  Our property
is not safe, but I have no fears of my life or
receiving any personal injury from them; at
the same time I heartily wish myself out of
this country. Could I have left in safty
with the personal or movable property, I should 
	    so
have done ^ but to go a beggar as destitute was to
[illegible in original], unless it was to save my life
     Unless the tide of events change for the better
soon, the people can not live here _
     If you can, I wish you would send to me
9 yards of calico 1 ½ yards of factory _ except the
					         a
salt you sent, and 1 doll & 12 ½ cents for le^ther
I have made no dolls. I have collected nothing
[on?] your notes for teaching. I have not seen 
			     ce
a store or a post office sin^ you left here _ send
me another paper if you possibly can _ Could I
			          not
but receive the news, I would ^ feel so half
so bad _ I wish you would write to my folks
  In conclusion I hardly know what to add your
position as a soldier I am aware is attended with danger
		          wh which			      survive
and casualties many of ^ are unforeseen but I hope you may ^
		Yours  [A.?] Royce

[Written sideways on left-hand side of Scan 2]

        send
I will ^ this by Mr. Barziel