[continued from July 21st 1861 letter of Nelly Crain]
Dear Sister
it is with the greatest pleasure that I embrace the present opportunity of writing you a few lines. I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you enjoying good health. I am at Nellies now making a visit I should like very much to see you but I am afraid I shall not be able to come and make you a visit for a long time I did think I should come out there next winter but I have enlisted for the war and am going to Indianapolis next week I have been been clerking for J B Taylor the most of the time since last fall Mr Taylors folk lost their little boy (John) last tuesday morning
I shall not try to excuse myself for not writing to you before now for it was through extreme negligence on my part I will try and write to you when I get into the army and let you know how I am getting along You need not write to me until you hear from me again no more at present
