Dear Mary,-

It is the first Sabbath in December and Sacrament Sabbath to you and to me if I were with you, and do I wish I might enjoy those privileges the you will today. As I cannot, I can think and pray and read my Bible today. I know you are thinking of me and wishing I were with you. Do not be thinking that I am going to be sick or that I am going into battle or that something is going to happen to me. There is time enough to think of those things when they come. I do not gain strength very fast and am not very strong but hope to be better in a few days. I have no news to write as there is nothing going on except camp and picket duty. Remember me to friends, with love to you and Ella.