Dear Mary,-

It has been some days since I wrote to you and I suppose it has caused you some uneasiness not hearing from me. But when I explain the reason I know you will forgive me. Monday afternoon, the 24th, I was taken sick with sick headache and was very bad and had high fever until last night when I began to feel better. I could not hold my head up. I think by

tomorrow I will be able to attend to my duties. I am in the Company Officers' tent. The next day after I was taken sick Lieutenant Elliot came to my tent and took me from it to theirs, Captain Crary being on picket duty. He gave me his bed and has taken care of me ever since and has slept on the floor of the tent by my bed. He has been as kind to me as a parent could be. Lieutenant Culver is kind hearted and if he knew how to do, would do as well by the men as the others. If I should be sick do not worry about me for I could not be in better hands away from home. Mr. Cowan intends to start for home tomorrow with his son James. He has had a hard time, has been very sick and I hear is very weak now. The general health of the Company is good although some are sick. Milo H. Brown, a relative of Mr. John King, died today. The men are building winter quarters now and I hope we will have better protection from the storms and cold. I will give you a description of them again. I am in a hurry to get this into the mail today and close with love.