Dear Wife,-

I understand by the inhabitants that Bridgeport before the war was quite a station and several houses were at the place, but there is not a house here now. All that remains of them are the chimneys and stone piers that they stood upon.

The bridge across the Tennessee River has been burned. The river at this place is very wide with an island of several acres of land in the centre. If it were in Washington Co., New York, I should like it for a farm.

I am very busy now and expect to be for some days. We have been on the move so much that all our Company work is behind. All the reports are to be attended to, also muster- and payrolls.

Yesterday I had to prefer charges against one of our men for sleeping on his post while on duty as a sentinel. His name is Theodore Stover and he came from Hartford, N. Y. It is his second offence. He is now in arrest. I do not know how it will be with him but hope he will not be punished very severely. Had we been in front of the enemy his punishment would be death by shooting. He left his post, went to a fire and lay down and went to sleep. His post was found vacant by Major Tanner, Brigade Officer of the Day, and he was found sleeping by Frank McFarland, Corporal of the Guard. Frank had to report him. A The men are now all busy building winter quarters. It is uncertain how long they will remain in them. They have built them once before this season. As soon as they had them nicely finished they had to move. They have done it so many times they are not disappointed. My quarters are all complete except a fireplace. It is built of plank and is warm,- the best I have ever had. I receive your letters a little over a week after mailing, which I think is making very good time in coming through. I can hardly realize that I am so far from home when your letters are at hand. A My health is better. I hope the climate here will be better for me than in Virginia. I do not know how severe the winter will be, but hope it will be no colder. It has been very rainy so far this fall. A Write to me often giving all the news. Remember me to friends.

R. Cruikshank.