Thomas Bamber notes that he has been working on a farm. Records indicate "Thomas E. Bamber" enlisted in the Wisconsin Infantry 7th Regiment in August 1861, but this seems to be a different person. In this letter, Thomas explains to his brother Joseph why he refused to join the military. He mentions that he had no desire to fight for the rights of slaves. Thomas goes on to ask his brother to speak frankly with him in future letters, as Joseph's ardent Republican views seem to have made him afraid to offend Thomas concerning his position on the war.