Pulaski  Dec 30th 1863
	Dear Father.
			Quite a change
has taken place in affairs here
since my last to H.H.  Most of
the boys have enlisted in the 
veteran corpse and I with
several others have been detailed
to serve in Gen Dodge’s body
Guard but to do this I had 
to buy me a Henry rifle which 
cost $50.00 here.  but as I sent
most of my money to you by
express I had to borrow $30.00 of
AD Robinson and gave him 
an Order on you which he will
send to his wife so you will keep 
the money for here when she presents 
the order.  I send a book by one
of the boys when they come home as
they are promised a furloug some time
I suppose that you understand that we are
all mounted - 26 men in all.

The following boys are with us
Robinson, Baird, Dix, Foster
& Perry.  My healh is good and
we anticipate a good time here
but dont know how long
we may remain.  Tomorrow is
muster day and I hope that it
will not be many days before
we will get our pay.  again 
I am in a hurry this morning have
some repairing and fixing to do to get
ready for service.  to morrow we go
out foraging and we may get a 
turkey for “new years” or som chickens
Write soon and all the news
Direct to [crossed out] [J.S. Dowd] as usual till
further notice.
	In haste
		Yours truly J.S.D.

Try and pay her promptly so there will be
      no complaint