John writes that the '11th Wisconsen Regiment' arrived about a week ago and there are many Welshmen in the army.

He refers to the excitement in Wisconsin regarding the draft but he pleads with his brothers not to join. He tells Richard and Owen that they are too young to enlist and that they should not do as he has done. He does also say that he does not regret joining up and that he has a strong feeling that he will come home although when this will be, he does not know.

John has heard that they will be going up the river to Kentucky and he hopes that this is true, although he has heard so many rumours that he does not quite know what is right.