Parole camp

October 31,1863

Dear Parents;

We have received orders to be ready to leave for Tennessee tomorrow morning so I thought I would write a few lines this evening just to save time. We have been expecting to go for three days past, so we are all ready and more than willin. We all drew new clothes the day before yesterday. All I got was an overcoat and a pair of stockings so I am well equipped. They say they are going to give us our guns here in camp before we leave.

The men all appear to think they are going to leave. When the Captain came into the Barracks to give us our marching orders there was three cheers and some of them began to knock over the benches and kick the tables so as to make as much noise as possible. I suppose they will simmer down much before morning.

I am writing in the reading room, for they JOGGLE most too much in the shanty where I live. I haven't had a letter since a week ago today but I expect one tomorrow. I will write again as soon as I get to a stopping off place.