to Mary

He is glad to hear that Emma is doing well. He writes that he is doing well also. Once he arrived in Washington, D.C. he is unsure of what the army's next move will be. On the march from Charlestown, Maryland to Berryville, Virginia there was a great amount of rain and the roads became extremely muddy. Once the Union Army arrived in Berryville they drove off the rebels there by firing their artillery. The troops had no tents and had to sleep on the cold ground while it rained. They also had no fires as the rebels were close by. The troops expected an attack at night but none came. In the morning they were to march to Winchester, Virginia but two miles into their march they were ordered back to Berryville. Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson had already left Winchester. Writes that while in Washington, D.C. the men are drinking heavily. Hopes that he will be able to see her soon. The troops are unsure when they will get paid again and he has lent some money to the men in the regiment who sent theirs home. He wishes she could see the Capitol building and the sights of Washington, D.C. The troops do not think the war will last long as there are many "faults" with it. The men find it amusing when rebel property is wrecked due to the war.