Headquarters First Regt. Exc. Brigade Camp McClelland Co. E. Capt. Burman
		Monday September 16th 1861
Dear Sister Lottie
		A long, long time
ago I recieved a letter from you
and, to my sorrow be it said,
have neglected to answer it until
present time, and much as I
dislike to begin a letter with
apologies, still I think in this
case one is due you. In the first
place your letter was miscarried
            not
and did ^ reach me until over a
month after it was written, and
then the war excitement had
commenced and I delayed
answering it until now

	I hope you will
forgive my neglect in this instance
and by answering this ennable
me by [promptness?] in the future
to redeem my character which
I very much fear is not a good,
one at least about Adrian.
Our regiment is still quartered near
Washington, but may at any moment
change it's position, as we are
ordered to keep our knapsacks
packed and be ready to move
at a moments notice. We
are also furnished with two
days rations ahead and it is
the opinion of men posted in
military matters that a decisive
battle will soon be fought.
Skirmishing is going on contin-
ually and our ears have become
accustomed to the reports of cannon.
		      the firing
When we first heard ^ we used
to get a little excited but now
it occasions no remark and I

mind it no more than I used
to, the old bell at Adrian
Sometimes a heavier volley than
usual will for a moment startle
me even as the bell for rhetorical
exercises would call up strange
feelings in my breast, that it was
beyond the power of other bells to
excite, unless you add the letter
e.  And speaking of bells reminds
me of many questions I have to ask
you. Here they are all in a string
Has school commenced? Have Fee
and the other boys returned?
Where is George Whedon & Fred Lad?
But I don't want to tax your
good nature to far, so I will
just ask you to write all the news
you can. You must excuse the Writing
blots etc in this letter for it is the first
I have writtin with pen and ink for
some time. With love to all I remain
		Your Brother
		    Harry Scandrett