Dec the 4   62 
     Dear Sister Oliva & Brother Alden 
& Jeanne & all Friends 
     I hardly know what 
to write I could tell you many things if I 
were thare but that is imposable at the presant 
how long it may be So is not for any of us 
to Say but I hope not long time is passing 
away very fast it has now been a little more 
than 3 months Since I Saw you three months 
ago today we left Hillsdale & Embarked 
for the Southern Land which we found the 
next day very tired. Expecting to See the 
Efects of a Battle in a Short time the 
Rebels were then within a very few miles 
the first time we were called in a line of battle 
Some were then Sick very Suden while others 
came out with fear & trembling I saw Some 
loading their guns with a trembling hand I 
Should of been about as fraid of their Balls 
had we had an occasion to fired as of the 
enemies others were as Steady as though they 
were going on drill & we have been called 
in a line of Battle many times Since But 
I never Seen the time when My hands trembled 
anymore than they do now I was beside of 
Jude & Ralph they neither of them was Nervious 
in the least but we never Seen a battle 
yet no I do not believe we will this winter 
But the War has not has not been Caried 
on as I expected it would be as as they Said 
when we enlisted they Said that Guarding 
Rebel Property had played out I Say is not so 
even this day we are guarding their property 
when we are on picket it is our [crossed out] [ourders] orders 
not to go to a house nor even to take a thing 
to eat from any Body But when I can 
get any thing to eat I take it but look out 
for the officers that they do not catch us at 
it But you need not think I am Sick 
of the Military Life or home Sick no never 
I Stay Cantented as long as we can do any 
good   But the Ohio Boys do not think much of 
the 18 Mich they call us hard names & do not 
know as I Blame them they came over after 
a Negro that is in our Camp but they [illegible] 
could not get them they think we are rather 
[illegible] I hear that General Gilmore 
Said that the 18th was the meanest Regiment 
      are 
their was but they [crossed out] [was] the only Regment 
that looks as though they could fight 
Battalion Drill So I must Stop writing 
[illegible] this Morning finds us well as Common 
Ralph has got his medicine out I have 
taken a dose we did not have much drill 
yesterday afternoon our Colonel Trial 
came of yesterday I have not heard the 
decision yet but I must close for want 
of room [illegible] write when you can all of you 
& So I bid you good morning from Albert