Fort Snelling May 4th 1861 8 pm
Friend Emma

I take a brief oportunity to drop
you a line and give you a small sketch of a
soldier's life. I should have written before but -
I suppose you have heard as much about us by other sources.
Since we left, as I could have written. We are all well generally
and enjoying ourselves first rate. We have had a good time
ever since we left home. Andrew Teele, and J. Going
were here yesterday and took tea with us Red Wing boys
we were all glad to see them I ashure you, and had a good time
with them while here. - Teele made us a nice little speech after tea
and ashured us that we were missed by all we left behind.
They went to St. Paul last night. But here comes now ashure
as I write I must see how he does................ Just had a hearty shake
of hands with him he said he could not go home till he came and
see us on Parade.... we are being put under a thorough drill of 6 hours
a day 3 in forenoon and 3 in the P.M. The whole ten companys
form a Regimental Parade on the Parade ground outside the fort at
3 P.M. and go through drill the same as in Battle. Under the Colonel
Command. It is a fine sight but we shall make a much better
display when we get our uniforms. Hundreds of spectators are
present every day to wittness us through the Parade drill. The drum
is beating for us to muster for drill and I must go........