Dear Ellen I am in fine heath & with one Exception
the hapies man you Ever seen I received your letter
about one hour ago I was happy to hear from
you & that you was all well I have just Been out
on picket I am acting as Brigade officer of the day
I have a fine hors to ride I have to give the gards
on pickets instructions through the day the countersign at
night & I have to go the grand rounds to night at 2
oclock which is fun for me.  Ellen soldiering is
the nicest Busness in the world when I ride out to the
pickets they all fall in line and present arms as
I ride up well all this looks like nonsence But it
is the rules of Soldiering and looks verry nice of a morning
at gard mounting we have the 8th Kansas Band to make
musick and the gards march in review all is fine
fun for me. I only speak of this to let you know what
is going on in camp not to Be boasting or any thing of
the kind the capts take it turn about acting it is one
of my duties & not an Extra honor well I spoke of Being
the happyes man with one Exception purhaps you would like
to know what I Except I Except my qualifycations Responcibilities
I am Resconcible for Every act of the Company I
am bound to decide all petty disputes & punish
Every one that refuses obedience to the most simple orders
I am also responcible for the discipline of the company
I am responcible for all clothing guns knapsacks etc etc
well it is true I can take receits from the men when
they draw anything I can keep that all rite then comes the
drill of the company well I am up with the Balance on that
score then comes Batalion drill next Brigade drill well I
have went through all this verry well.  But the hardest
point for me is to keep up with the Bon tons of this
army I sometimes feel bad when I am asked to ride out
or walk out with an officer of great cloth I have a fine
dress suit But no overcoat I have good gloves But not fine
Some would be rather to good to associate with me
on those accounts & I am just as Eager to get shut
of them well those fellows that I speak of runs a bill
with the sutler to the amount of 40 or 50 dollars pr month
that wont suit me well I will know tell how the
Company is getting along well Lieut McCormick is going
to resign on account of his health & Swalier will be
detail as a brideg builder or a commander of an
Engineer Corps he talks of resigning also but I am
up to my word I will be sent home in disgrace
as I promised before I will resign I am verry
much attached to my company this is the place
to find out a man I will tell you who has
proved them selves jints first John Carny 2 Thos Cole
3 John McCormick he is acting orderly & makes a good
one thare is lots others that I have not space to mention
there is just now a rumor that we will march soon
which may be true there is also a rumor that we
will be paid off in a few days if so I will have som
two hundred dollars to send you we have not made out
pay rolls for but 2 months But thare is more a coming
you need not be scared about corn being cheap it is
Selling on contract at Louisvill for 50 cts tell bybee to
Be careful & not let them Rich boys cheat him in the  ("Rich" may be "Rick")
masurement of the corn please tell me how the hogs is get
along towards Eating that corn up at Dennys place George  ("Dennys" uncertain)
Peters is complaning I have not seen or heard of T Henthorn
since I came back I must close rite soon rite a long
letter tell me Every thing tell me if Uncle Thos did
come down and preach when did you hear from Scott  ("Scott" probable Scott Co.)
have you got a nue dress if you hant get one nice
one that will cost you five dollars get any thing you need
tell them that dont like it I foot the Bill Send the Pictures
childrens to me
W.D. Everitt com Co I 81st Regt Ind Vols

Excuse a long and badly rit letter
and take it for what it is worth & believe
it to come from your true Husband I wish I was at
home long Enough to see you all & see the hogs & cattle
then I could come back satisfied you know how
I used to look at them Eating Ellen cattle will be
high in a Short time I think do not let them go for
nothing If you get any gold or silver keep it

N B Lieut Schwalier just know told me
that he is going to except the place I spoke
of so he will leave us in the morning he goes on
the Chatanuga Railroad

N B the order just know came
to Be readdy to march to morrow
But I do not know where two
purhaps to nashville purhapt further
this is impossible to tell

I must close
Farewell my love
to all
To Ellen Evritt