Camp Parole Annapolis, Md.

October 13, 1863

Dear Friend;

You see I am at the parole camp still. It has been some time since I wrote to you last and I suppose you may have thought I had gone back to the Wars and got kilt but instead of going there I have been home for about two months and have just got back to parole camp. I suppose we are exchanged. At any rate they have sent all of the men off to their regiments except those who belong to our Corps and the 11th. Both of these corps have been sent from the army of the Potomac to reinforce General Rosencrans at Chattanoga. I suppose we all will leave here some time this week to join them.

I left the Parole camp about the first of last August. I found the folks all well at home. As I hadn't written home about my intending to come, I took them somewhat by surprise when I arrived.

I was at home about two months so I had a pretty good visit. About a week ago all of the paroled prisoners who were at home were ordered back to the parole camp. As almost all the paroled prisoners belonging to our unit were at home, we all came back together. We came back by the way of New York City thursday morning and arrived at camp on Friday. As the train didn't start for Baltimore until afternoon we all went to Barnum's Museum to see some of the sights. Able Fuller and Elza were there also and we happened to run across them. Abel and his family were on the way to Oswego but were stopping for a few days at your Brother in Laws. Able is going to live in Oswego and work for Mr. Pitts (Lorettas Husband). He offers him $1.25 a day which Able says is much better than $1.50 in New York.

I don't think that the paroled prisoners can complain of very hard soldering this summer. It is nearly 5 months since I have been paroled and we have no duty to do Since. Nearly all of us has been home and made a visit. Since I was taken prisoner our regiment has marched over 300 miles and fought two days in the Battle Of Gettysburg. They are now at Chattanoga where we are expected to join them in a few days. I suppose they will have a hard battle there before long and I think that Rosecrans will have men enough to give the Rebs the whipping that they deserve.

I was just in time when I got home to help Father finish his harvesting. I had been in the parole camp so long that I forgot what real hard work was. Fathers crops were very good. He had 10 acres of wheat and 9 acres of oats. He sowed 12 acres of wheat this fall. He still keeps the Greys yet. He has worked Ned all summer for Kate had a colt this spring. It is a little grey Morgan just like his Mam. Father had an acre of tobacco which he thinks will weigh a ton. Abner had over 3 acres and he thinks his will be over 3 tons. There was considerable tobacco raised around home this year.

I will write again as soon as I get to the Regiment to let you know where I am and where to direct your letter.

From Your Friend;