sand - & a retreating crowd of soiled "harness"  I though he would - in the afternoon Barton preached his 9th sermon to the 23 costing U sam about $170.00 each. query among the boys will a gun of so small a calliber - & so long between discharges pay?  Last night we were called together by the  Martial band of the 18th Ind. & then Hail Columbia by the brass band. then prayer by Rev Barton, then a lecture on temperance When he wound up Rev. McDonnald gave us a no one. practiced. right to the point & to the conscience speech on the evils of intemperance in the army, next came Col Washburn of the 18th.  He was pithy & to the point.  He said he didn't know what the Rev Gentlemen meant by flattering his men that they were so good & sober & he said "boys I tell you, you drink too much - some of you get drunk & I want you to quit it.  You give me trouble &c.  I thought if the "Rev Gentlemen" had have pulled off their gloves & had handled the ugly demon with hard knocks it would have looked better at least - We were all much pleased with the effert.
 sunday - after inspection.  a beautiful - clear day - I wonder my Mary is to day are you at church to day listening a discourse from our dear Rev Nash?  I expect you are as it is now a little past 11 A.M.  I hope ere this you are in a measure contented .  And now my dear wife I wish to speak to you frankly & plainly my mind I know that while you are going from one place to another you cannot be contented or or happy - & I do wish you would make a permanent home either at Father's or at Austin's - I know that you are thrown out uppon the world without a home & my heart aches at the thought - but when I look through the past & cast my eye to the bright future, when our country will be free from the clash of arms & peace a glorious peace shall spread her wings over our homes - then we will reap the reward of our past sacrifices.  Until then I know that Austin will with open arms receive to his quiet, happy home & protect & cherish the loved wife of an esteemed brother - or if it is not convenient on account of others I know that my Father & Mother will gladly receive their adopted & loved daughter with that tender affection that has characterized their treatment of me when misfortuned frowned.  Not for my sake alone for I know that they all (with the little exceptions of Ev---) esteem & love you.  It will be a source of pleasure to me to know that you have made one place or the other your home.  It is not best to have so many places as temporary homes.
