Benjamin writes that he makes over twenty dollars a month working at the hospital, but he finds the work exhausting. He and other soldiers with whom he has interacted are optimistic that the war will end soon. He notes that President Abraham Lincoln is currently visiting their camp--Lincoln met with General George McClellan to lend support and encourage more aggressive tactics. Benjamin mentions that he was called upon to either assist with, or perform, an amputation, for which he was paid well. He seems relieved to hear that his father has entered an asylum, although he sympathizes with his mother's lonliness. Lastly, he says their ward master has a key to a local man's cellar, from which they get provisions that Benjamin cooks up for himself and three others.
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