[Penciled in on top of Scan 1] [2-7-65]

    Washington Feb 7th /,65
                         Dear Parents
it is with pleasure that
I take this opportunity
to inform you of my
whereabouts. and health
I am as well as usual
and hope these few lines
will find you enjoying 
the same Blessing for it
is surely such. we are
camped about three
miles east of the city
on the east branch of
the Potomac river.
we are in good quarters
and have plenty of rations
I have a stove in my
tent and it is quite
comfortable it is the only
one in the company

you want me to send
home more money as
the rest of the boys do
and you say folks talk
about my not sending
home more. please tell
whoever says anything about
my not sending home 
more that it is none
of thier business.
I am not agoing to starve
myself when I have money
you also said that Emerson
said that I was a gambler
you should believe but half
you hear. I do play
Euchre once in a while but
not for money. a fellow
can sit here in his
tent all day and do
nothing and it is lonesome
there is no reading to be
had except novels and
they are scarce. and
     there is no more harm
  in playing cards for
pastime than there is
in playing fox and geese
but if you say stop it
shall be done and I will
go to reading novels. because
I cant sit all day and
do nothing. no more of this
we are agoing to draw our
pay before long. and I
will send you what I 
can spare: Keep the sheep
for me. I was sorry to
hear that you had sold
the pony but if the colt
is a good one he will answer
your purpose as well as
She would. have you had
any Sleighing yet how
is Grandma and the
folks over her way

when you write tell
me all the news and
write soon no more at
present so good Bie
I am now as ever your
Affectionate son   Israel G Atkins