I was home to Illinois on a furlow last winter and had a fine
old time too. We are within one mile and a half of Petersburg. Our
fellows throw a shell into the city every day--it is a large place.
I should judge it is as large as Lowville. We can see it quite plain
from here. There was a large fire there last night. I think they were
buildings that our fellows set on fire by those shells. Our picket
line and the rebs are close together. We have heavy breast works.
We dare not show our heads above the works, if we do the Jonneys
? away at us. There was one man killed today, the ball hit him in
the head, killed him inst.

You must excuse this poor writing as I said before I do not
feel much like it. If there be any girls there who would like to
correspond with a soldier, tell them that I am the chap, tell them
that I am a regular rebellion smasher and one of the homeliest
chaps that ever lived and would like to correspondwith some good
looking girl just for fun....They are drumming a fellow out of
camp for cowardice. He has got his head shaved and a board nailed
on his back with company and ward marked on it....I am very much
obliged to you for your well wishes toward me. Goodbye.