p.

I got the business letters all right, and
have replied to them, and do not know
what the effect will be or what will be my
fate, but some extracts from the Discipline
quoted by H. M. seem to decide the case plain-
ly enough, if correctly quoted, as I presume
they were, though I have no means of finding
out, here; he referred me to the pages, so I
suppose he thought I had the Book of D. with
me in the Army; I have not so will trust
to his word for it. I do not know but thee
will be there when they get the letters; if
thee is thee will learn the result I suppose.
I thought some of sending thee a Duplicate
but as all the business of this Office has to
be done in Duplicate I do not wish to get
into that way with my letters -
I do not know whether I shall hear from
them again or not, but shall probably hear
the results of their deliberations [underline]sometime[underline].
I do not know as thee will like my change
of employment, but do not think thee will
regret it much when thee looks at all the
circumstances of the case. I thought it my
duty to leave the Hospital while I [underline]could[underline]
do so in [underline]health[underline]. There are many others in
the Regt. who can do more for the sick
than I could even pretend to do.

[page break]

I have the benefit of out door air in large
quantities, and have horseback riding most
every day, which is one of the best exercises in
the world, except riding on one of the [Gov?]
Wagons, over such a road as H. B. Stowe de-
scribes in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." I can imagine
how Senator Byrd rode that night, all but
the [underline]woman[underline]. Many of the Officers have
their wives here with them, but it is a sorry
place for a woman, when it is as muddy
as it is now, in Camp. Lieut. H. H. Hill has ex-
pected his father out here ere now but he
does not come yet, and he has most given
it up I guess. He says he hopes he will not
come, while it is as muddy as it is now, for
fear he shall swear about it before him.
I got a letter from Ann, a short time since; she
is well, and writes no news which I need re-
peat to thee. I am sorry to hear that Cousin
R. is so feeble and hope she is better ere now.
Her disease must be very painful. Is Rowland
at home now? or has the Regt. of lame, [halt?] & blind
been called for? I wrote to Jane before I got thy
word for it that it would be carried safely, so
it is as well though Mary writes that the
conveyance goes, but does not vouch for its
regularity. I hear you have Snow enough
but hope no one has too much.