Dear Wife,-

Three days have passed since I wrote you and yet we remain in the same place although expect to move at any hour. Every day we have one ration of hard tack, sugar and coffee issued to the men which keeps the first eight days' rations good, or on hand. The train officers have received orders not to take only necessary baggage and all of the men to take only one change of underclothing. All surplus baggage must be left behind. The orders are to be ready to march at a moment's notice. I think we can be ready in about ten minutes after we get the order to move. I am feeling very well and hope I can stand the march. I shall try very hard to do so. I suppose you know that Mrs. McDougall is on her way to visit the Regiment. She was in Washington, D. C. yesterday and is expected here tonight. She is in company with Capt. Warren and his wife. The Captain has been home on a furlough and his wife is coming to visit the Camp. I would not have thought that Mrs. McDougall would have attempted to come as it is so uncertain about our being here a day longer. I do not believe she can get a pass to come here. I hope she can at it will be a disappointment to her if she cannot, also to the Colonel.