"The U. S. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION
	sends this sheet as a messenger between the soldier
	and his home. Let it hasten to those who wait for
	tidings."
No 61	       	Head Qarters 2nd Brigade
	         1st Division 23rd A C
	      Camp Stoneman S C
	      February 15th 1865

     Dear Aaunt and Cousins
I received your interesting letters
a few days ago and have delayed
writing on account of having no
picture to send you.
  The weather has been severely
cold here but is now moderated
and is raining. We left Nashville
 January 13th arriving at Alexandria Va
January 25th We went down the Cum-
berland to Paducah from thence up
the Ohio to Cincinnati & then by Rail
to Columbus & Belair and Washington
via Relay house MD. The health of
the Regiment is poorly We now
number 470 men for duty: We left

Kalamazoo with 879 men. Not
many Deaths: but are in Hospitals
   The 28th still remain at Alexandria
Va I was over there yesterday and sad
to say was informed of the Death of
Ephraim Trimm. He died at Post
Hospital Nashville the day we
started from there. Ephraim
made a good Soldier: his Death
is lamented by all his acquaintances
I understand that Gordon and Asa
have Enlisted in the ninth Infantry
will Baltimore be Drafted again or
will they fill they fill by enlistments
Have you heard from Jim of late
if so where is he: what is his address
and is he well
	Well Jane, do you Doll and Mate go
to school? I was pleased to receive a letter
from you: I have received a letter from
Emma Rhoades & Clarra and one
from Addie Harmon.


	 I Shall expect a note from
Doll: although it be a printed one
like Claras   I suppose Maggie
does not venture to School yet
	Citisens here say this is the
coldest winter here they have seen
in this Latitude for seventeen years
  I have been staying long back
in Barracks at Alexandria and a
few days ago come to this camp jomme
		              in a
and commenced sleeping ^ Tent the effict
of which is I have taken a severe
cold: but it does not make me
sick. How do Warrens folks get
	     them
along: give ^ my Respects: and Ann
how is She tell her She has my
Compliments: Also Mr Boyes
People. I may run across G F in my
travels: It is rumored that we
are to go near the 9th Corps
     I shall look for an answer to
this about the first of march to 


Contain all the news current
in that vicinity
	With my Love to you all
and best wishes for your welfare
Peace and happiness I would bid you
		Adieu
		M Holmes

[Written sideways on left-hand of Scan 4]

Direct as before adding
2nd Brigade 1st Division
23rd A C